Everton and Manchester City are two of the oldest clubs in English football, and they have been central to the football culture in their respective cities since the late 1800s. Over the years, they have faced each other nearly 200 times, making it one of the most frequent matchups in English football. Both teams represent the blue side of their cities, and their encounters have become an important part of football history.
- Date: Saturday, December 26
- Kick-off: 12:30 pm GMT
- Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Manchester City vs Everton Preview
Manchester City and Everton will face off in round 18 of the 2024/25 Premier League season at the Etihad Stadium as part of the mid-week fixtures. This has been a surprising season in English football, with Manchester City, the four-time reigning champions, struggling in sixth place in the Premier League. Everton, meanwhile, is in 16th place with 15 points from 15 matches. In recent meetings, Manchester City has had the upper hand, maintaining a 15-match unbeaten streak against Everton. Simon Hooper will be the referee for this match.
Manchester City finds itself in unfamiliar territory. For the first time under Pep Guardiola, the team has suffered five consecutive defeats. Aston Villa handed them a 2-1 loss at Villa Park on Saturday. Several players are facing criticism for their poor performances this season. City has already fallen behind in the Premier League and has only managed two wins in the Champions League so far. The 2023 European champions are facing a tough challenge and will need to perform at their best against Everton. Fans have expressed frustration, and rumors have circulated that Pep Guardiola may be considering his future at the club.
Everton, too, will be frustrated with their recent results. In the last six matches, they have won just once, with three losses and two draws. During this stretch, they scored four goals and conceded four. Manager Sean Dyche faces a difficult task in turning things around, knowing that his job could be at risk if results don’t improve.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City will be relieved to know that Oscar Bobb will be back in training soon. Ederson and Ruben Dias are also expected to return shortly. However, the most significant setback is Rodri‘s injury, as he will not be able to play for the rest of the season.
Everton Team News
Dwight McNeil (knee injury), James Garner (muscle injury), Tim Iroegbunam (leg injury), and Youssef Chermiti (foot injury) will not be joining the squad for the trip to Manchester.
Manchester City vs Everton Predicted Lineups
Manchester City Predicted Lineup (3-2-4-1)
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol
Midfielders: Kovacic, Lewis, Foden, Silva, Gundogan, Grealish
Forwards: Haaland
Everton Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Pickford
Defenders: Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko
Midfielders: Harrison, Mangala, Gueye, NdiayeForwards: Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin
Manchester City vs Everton H2H Record
| Result | Date | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City 2-0 Everton | 2024 | Premier League |
| Everton 1-3 Manchester City | 2023 | Premier League |
| Everton 0-3 Manchester City | 2023 | Premier League |
| Manchester City 1-1 Everton | 2022 | Premier League |
| Everton 0-1 Manchester City | 2022 | Premier League |
Key Players to Watch in Manchester City vs Everton
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne had to remain on the bench during the loss to Aston Villa. His absence has been felt deeply by Pep Guardiola. At 33 years old, he remains the most influential player for the English champions and will be crucial to their performance in the upcoming matches.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland’s inability to find his clinical touch in front of goal has been a key factor in Manchester City’s recent struggles. Although Haaland is still the Premier League’s top scorer with 13 goals, he is losing ground to players like Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah. The Norwegian striker will need consistent and quality service from his teammates to make an impact against Everton.
Manchester City vs Everton Prediction
Everton may see this as their best opportunity to end their winless run against Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola will likely be relieved to face a team like Everton during this difficult stretch of results.Predicted Score: Manchester City 2-1 Everton
Where to watch Manchester City vs Everton Live?
| Country | Where to watch |
|---|---|
| USA | NBC Sports |
| UK | Sky Sports |
