Prediction: Everton vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Manchester City will make the trip to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Everton

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a stunning display on the south coast earlier in the week, Everton have certainly breathed life back into their charge for Premier League safety. Eventually putting in a season-best performance as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp against European contenders Brighton, Sean Dyche’s side have also skyrocketed their way out of the bottom-three. However, while the former Burnley boss might have seen his squad draw a line under their seven-match winless run, the Blues will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge here. Last seen at Goodison Park putting in a nightmare display as they were hit with a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Newcastle, Everton have claimed just four points from their last five Premier League appearances on home soil. Likewise, it should also be noted, Dyche’s side have failed to record a single win against City since way back in January 2017.

Team News

Picking up a knee injury against Leicester on May 1st, Seamus Coleman will miss the remainder of the season. Scotland international Nathan Patterson should once again start at right-back.

Bagging a brace against Brighton on Monday evening and with five Premier League goals in as many appearances, Dwight McNeil will once again join Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, coming from behind away at Real Madrid earlier in the week as they eventually secured a first-leg 1-1 draw, the mood in Manchester City’s camp should be at a real high. Now tipped as a leading contender to defend their Premier League crown this month, the one-time Barcelona boss finds his superstar squad in the midst of a 21-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Last seen on top-flight duties claiming a lively 2-1 win at home against relegation scrappers Leeds, the Citizens are riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum. Not suffering a single defeat since a 1-0 loss away at Tottenham on February 5th, Guardiola’s side will simply be looking to avoid a potential banana skin on Sunday afternoon. Really gaining a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third, it is no surprise that City are seen as a landslide pick at Goodison Park.

Team News

Not making the trip to Madrid in midweek after picking up a recent muscle injury, defender Nathan Ake is once again a major doubt on Sunday afternoon. Riyad Mahrez will be hoping for a full recall here and could replace Bernardo Silva in the final third.

Bagging that stunning second-half equaliser at the Bernabeu a few days ago and with three goals in as many appearances, midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne will once again join Erling Haaland in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Premier League meeting on New Year’s Eve, Manchester City and Everton played out a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
• However, when the defending Premier League champions last traveled to Merseyside 15 months ago, Guardiola’s men claimed a 1-0 win.
• Likewise, Everton have failed to record a single victory against Wednesday’s guests since way back in January 2017.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in each of their last 21 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to February 5th.
• The Sky Blues have won each of their last six straight trips to Goodison Park by an aggregate score of 14-3.

Conclusion

While Everton might have stormed their way to that stunning 5-1 romp away at Brighton earlier in the week, Sunday’s hosts will know that they face a monumental challenge here. With Manchester City now enjoying a 21-match unbeaten run across all competitions, Guardiola’s men are simply looking to avoid a potential banana skin on Merseyside. Despite having to settle for a single point when they welcomed Everton to the Etihad on New Year’s Eve, the Premier League giants do hold a rampant record against Dyche’s squad. Winning each of their last six straight trips to Goodison Park by an aggregate score of 14-3, we are expecting an away victory on Sunday afternoon.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Unibet