Verdict: Manchester City win and both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
With Pep Guardiola’s side handed the chance to reclaim top spot, Manchester City will travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
Everton
Starting with Wednesday’s hosts, coming off the back of yet another worrying display in their 3-1 loss away at Wolves over the weekend, the pressure is really mounting on Marco Silva. While Everton might still just be holding onto their position in the top half of the table, their form entering the New Year has left a lot to the imagination. Now losing three of their last four matches across all competitions, including crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Championship outfit Millwall, the Toffees’ European dreams are dwindling by the week. Conceding two or more goals in each of their three defeats, it has also been Everton’s form at Goodison Park giving the former Watford boss the biggest headache. Recording just one top-flight win on Merseyside since the 24th of November, a six-match run, the Blues have also famously struggled against Manchester City. Slumping to a 3-1 loss when the two sides met back in December, Silva’s men have picked up just one Premier League home victory over the defending champions since 2013.
Team News
First choice left-back Lucas Digne returns for Everton, having missed the defeat to Wolves because of suspension.
Key midfielder Idrissa Gueye returns from a groin problem, but defenders Yerry Mina, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are all sidelined because of injuries.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, after putting three past Arsenal over the weekend and watching Liverpool slip up at the London Stadium, the mood in Manchester City’s camp should be on a high. Putting aside their rare blip against Newcastle a week ago, the defending champions have now won nine of their last 10 matches across all competitions. However, while City do hold the best-attacking record across Europe’s top tiers, the former Barcelona boss will be looking to improve on his sides form away from Manchester. The Sky Blues have lost three of their last five Premier League matches on the road and have recorded one away clean sheet since the end of November. Unsurprisingly, one man to watch for the visitors will be leading goalscorer, Sergio Aguero. Stealing the show on Sunday and bagging a hat-trick against the Gunners, the 30-year-old has already found the net 20 times across all competitions. More impressive, Aguero has now bagged six goals in his last four appearances.
Team News
Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy could be involved following two weeks out with a knee issue.
Vincent Kompany is still unavailable due to a muscle injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- Everton have won only one of their past 11 Premier League fixtures versus Manchester City – a 4-0 triumph at Goodison Park in January 2017.
- City could win consecutive top-flight away fixtures versus the Toffees for the first time since 1992.
- They could also do the Premier League double over Everton for only the second time.
- Everton have lost three of their last four Premier League home fixtures, as many losses as in the previous 23 games (W13, D7).
- The reigning champions have kept only one clean sheet in their last six Premier League away fixtures, a 3-0 victory at Huddersfield Town on 20 January.
Conclusion
With Liverpool handing Guardiola the chance to reclaim top spot, the visitors should see this as a golden opportunity. While we do expect Everton to breach City’s backline at some point on Wednesday, it is almost impossible to imagine the defending champions not enjoying another successful night in the final third. Backing a City in and both teams to score seems like the smartest bet at Goodison Park.
Verdict: Manchester City win and both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
