Prediction: Manchester City vs Everton

Verdict: HT-FT Result – Home/Home

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: bet365

Manchester City and Everton debuted with low-scoring wins in their English Premier League debuts this past week. And in an effort to catch Manchester United at the top of the standings, both clubs will collide at Etihad Stadium this Monday to put an end to Matchweek 2 in the EPL. Kick-off is announced at 20:00 hrs BST.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola’s men had to work harder than expected to earn their first Premier League win of the season, but eventually got the job done and got past Brighton with relative ease. But the match against Everton is going to be a lot tougher, as The Toffees were one of the most improved teams in the league this summer, and are not going to make things easy for the Citizens. And last season’s results are the best proof. The last time City faced Ronald Koeman’s side they suffered a 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park, and when they played at home, City only clinched a 1-1 draw despite dominating the game entirely. It will also be another chance to test Guardiola’s new system with three central defenders against a tough team. It worked against Brighton, but will it hold up against a more threatening side like Everton?

Team News

Fabien Delph is doubtful due to a lack of match fitness. Ilkay Gündogan (neck) and Benjamin Mendy (thigh) will face late-fitness tests to determine their availability.

Samir Nasri might be out, as the French winger is working his way out of the club to join Antalyaspor in Turkey.

Everton

It only takes a quick look to Everton’s squad to see how much they have improved during the summer. Jordan Pickford (Sunderland), Michael Keane (Burnley), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea), Sandro Ramirez (Malaga), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), and Davy Klaassen (Ajax) all joined the side during the summer. The attacking reinforcements will try to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku, but the first game of the campaign was a success after they defeated Stoke City at home. And as if that was not enough, Everton are currently riding a three-game undefeated streak against City that included two draws and one win. Undoubtedly this will the toughest test of the season for Ronald Koeman’s men, and it will be a good measure to determine whether they will be title contenders or pretenders for another year.

Team News

Everton do not have new injury concerns ahead of this game, but that does not mean they are not depleted. James McCarthy (knee), Seamus Coleman (broken leg), Yannick Bolasie (knee), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee) and Ross Barkley (hamstring) have all been ruled out.

To make things a bit more complicated, Sandro Ramirez is doubtful due to a heel injury. But could feature in the starting XI.

Key Factors to Consider

• Everton are riding a three-game undefeated streak against Manchester City (1W 2D 0L)
• These two sides have met 40 times in the Premier League and the record is quite even: 18 wins for Everton, 14 for City, and eight draws.
• Sergio Agüero only needs one more goal to become the top non-European scorer in Premier League history. He is tied with Dwight Yorke at the top of the list with 123 goals.
• Wayne Rooney needs one more goal to reach 200 in the Premier League. Only Alan Shearer, the sole current member of the 200 club, has scored more PL goals v Man City (11) than Rooney (8).
• Manchester City are unbeaten in six PL home matches v Everton (W3 D3).

Conclusion

There is no question this is going to be a tight, intense game, but City have a few things going their way. They will play at home, are coming off a convincing win in their debut, and have a healthier squad.

Evert0n’s absences will be too much to overcome, and City should cruise in this one. I expect them to build a lead in the first half and never let it go until the final whistle.

Verdict: HT-FT Result – Home/Home

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: bet365