Prediction: Everton vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City to score in both halves

Best Odds: 19/20

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Bookmaker: Unibet

Desperate to make an immediate return to winning ways on Saturday evening, Manchester City will make the trip to Goodison Park when they meet Everton.

Everton

Starting with the hosts, while Everton might have made the decision to bring in new boss Frank Lampard last month, the Blues find themselves in the midst of an extended struggle. Last seen putting in another toothless display as they were hit with a deserved 2-0 defeat away at Southampton, fans around Goodison Park will be looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. Failing to build off of their much-needed 3-0 win against Leeds earlier in the month, the Toffees have now lost five of their last six Premier League matchups, a run that stems all the way back to December 6th. Opening this weekend’s fixtures now holding just a two-point buffer from dropping into the bottom-three, Lampard’s side should be bracing themselves for another stern test here. Hit with a 3-0 drumming when they last faced off against Manchester City back in November, it should be highlighted that Everton have lost each of their previous nine meetings against Saturday’s guests.

Team News

Everton have confirmed that the likes of Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph will once again be missing on Saturday evening.

However, Lampard is hopeful that both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Demarai Gray could make their returns here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, suffering that remarkable last-gasp 3-2 defeat at home against Tottenham last weekend, there is no doubt that Manchester City will be seeking an immediate response here. Watching Liverpool cut their buffer at the top of the Premier League table to just three points, Pep Guardiola will know that his side can not afford many more slip-ups. Suffering their first top-flight defeat since the end of October against Spurs, the former Bayern Munich boss should at least be smelling a real chance on Saturday evening. Despite that blip at the Etihad last weekend, the Sky Blues have managed to find quite the free-scoring run in the final third. Including a 5-0 romp away at Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League first-leg meeting last week, it should be noted that City have bagged at least a pair of strikes in each of their last five matchups across all formats. Remarkably without a Premier League defeat on the road since the opening weekend, Guardiola’s men should still find the mood in their camp at a high.

Team News

Manchester City look set to once again be without the attacking duo of Jack Grealish (shin) and Gabriel Jesus (muscle) here.

Finding the net against Spurs last weekend, Riyad Mahrez will be hoping for a recall at Goodison Park.

Key Factors to Consider

  • When the two sides faced off at the Etihad back in November, Manchester City picked up a 3-0 win.
  • Likewise, the Sky Blues have won each of their last nine straight meetings against the relegation outsiders.
  • Guardiola’s men have also won each of their last five trips to Goodison Park.
  • Everton have lost five of their last six Premier League matchups.
  • Manchester City have not lost a single Premier League matchup away from the Etihad since the opening weekend.

Conclusion

While Manchester City might be coming off the back of that last-gasp defeat at home against Spurs, the Premier League leaders will be looking to cash in on a struggling Everton side. Last seen getting hit with a 2-0 defeat away at Southampton, Frank Lampard’s new squad are firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop. Losing five of their last six top-flight outings, Saturday’s hosts should be bracing themselves for a tough test at Goodison Park. With City not losing a single Premier League matchup away from the Etihad since the opening weekend, it should also be noted that they hold a rampant record against Everton. Winning each of their last nine meetings against the relegation scrappers, we’re backing City to find an immediate boost here.

Verdict: Manchester City to score in both halves

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Source of the article

Author: XenBet