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Preview: Everything you need to know, Predicted XI – Everton vs Manchester City

On Sunday afternoon Manchester City make the trip to Goodison Park with the games coming thick and fast, Pep Guardiola's men will have another difficult test when they face relegation-threatened Everton, who come into this game on the back of a huge win on Monday.

There will undoubtedly be some rotation after the exertions of midweek in Madrid, but Guardiola's side can ill afford to take their eye off the ball the title race is still very much alive.


City will have to hit all the right notes in the next few days if they are to retain their crown and realise their Eurovision. Kick-off for this important game is at 2 pm (BST) on Sunday, May 14th, live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.

 

Team News


In his press conference, Guardiola confirmed that Nathan Ake would be assessed ahead of training on Friday. The game on Sunday may come too soon for the Dutchman, who missed the trip to Madrid in midweek. The Catalan has no other injury worries but is expected to rotate the squad after a few players did look leggy towards the end of the first leg in Madrid.


Predicted XI:


Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Laporte, Gundogan, Foden, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

Photo courtesy of Julian Finney/Getty Images
 

Opposition


Sean Dyche's Everton come into this game on the back of an impressive win at Brighton; the Toffees scored thirty seconds into the game and ripped apart Brighton on the break. Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin proving a nuisance all afternoon; the City defence will have to be wary of them.

Whilst the win on Monday was impressive, it was very much out of character for the Toffees, who, before Monday, had posted just one win away from home; their home form isn't much better either, as they have just five wins at home all season and have the 18th best home record – they've posted just one win in their last five home games.

Photo courtesy of Steve Bardens/Getty Images
 

Head-to-Head


Played: 194

Won: 78

Drawn: 48

Lost: 68

Last time out, the Blues were frustratingly held at home by Everton, who at the time were managed by Frank Lampard. Erling Haaland had given City the lead only for Demarai Gray to hit a wonder strike and bring the Toffees level; City that day could not find a winner late on despite eleven minutes of added time. In truth, the Premier League champions created very little that day and didn't look like scoring regardless of how long they could have played on for.

Photo courtesy of OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

City have won ten of their last 11 games against Everton in all competitions; the draw in December proving the exception.


Guardiola's side have a good record at Goodison Park, winning on all their last five visits there. The last time City visited Goodison Park, they needed a late goal from Phil Foden to claim all three points in what was a very nervy and tense game. Ultimately that win proved to be a crucial step on the way to another Premier League title; City will be hoping for the same once again.

 

Officials


Referee: Anthony Taylor

Assistants: Gary Beswick & Adam Nunn

Fourth Official: Graham Scott

VAR: Craig Pawson

Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan

Photo courtesy of Matt McNulty/Getty Images
 

Written by: @MakThatGuy


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