Verdict: Leroy Sane to score anytime
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
Desperate to bounce back for last weekend’s defeat at Stamford Bridge, Pep Guardiola’s side will welcome Everton to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, after slumping to a shock 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend, the defending champions now find themselves sat a point adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table. While the Sky Blues might have tasted their first Premier League defeat of the season in west London, Pep Guardiola’s side put in yet another very eye-catching performance in their 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Wednesday. Booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, City also boast a very impressive record on home soil. Now winning their last nine league match at the Etihad on the bounce, they have scored a staggering 33 goals in that time and unsurprisingly once again hold the best attacking record in the top-flight. While Raheem Sterling’s start to the season has gained him a long list of admirers, Guardiola will also be enjoying Leroy Sane’s recent run of form. Despite struggling at the start of the season, the German international scored a brace against Hoffenheim in midweek and now has five in his last six across all competitions. It is also worth noting that Sane found the net in City’s 3-1 win over Everton last season.
Team News
Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero could return to face Everton after a four-match absence with a groin injury.
Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, John Stones and Danilo might also be fit but David Silva is out with a hamstring problem.
Everton
As for Marco Silva’s Everton side, while the Toffees might still sit seventh in the table and be dreaming of a return to European football, Saturday’s visitors have hit a difficult run of form. With only Lucas Digne’s 96th minute strike helping them pick up a point against Watford on Monday night, the Blues are coming off the pair of draws and have now managed to pick up just one win in their last five Premier League outings. Now failing to record a clean sheet in December, it will also be their form away from Goodison Park giving the Silva the biggest headache. Losing the Merseyside derby 1-0 almost a fortnight ago, Everton’s win at the King Power Stadium back in October is their only victory on the road this season. If the Blues are to pull of a miraculous victory at the Etihad on Saturday, Silva will be looking for summer signing Richarlison to lead from the front. Finding the net against his former employers earlier in the week, the Brazilian international has eight league goals this season.
Team News
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was substituted against Watford on Monday night because of a minor problem and he is a doubt.
Manager Marco Silva otherwise has a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City are unbeaten in 51 league matches against teams outside the established top six since a 4-0 defeat at Everton in January 2017 (W44, D7).
- City lost, and conceded more than one goal, for the first time in 22 league games last Sunday at the hands of Chelsea.
- Leroy Sane has now scored five goals in his last six appearances for Manchester City across all competitions.
- Everton’s tally of 24 points is their highest after 16 games for five seasons.
- Marco Silva has lost all three Premier League matches as a manager against Manchester City, including both fixtures at Etihad Stadium by a 3-1 scoreline.
Conclusion
Now managing to pick up just one win in their last five, Marco Silva will not be relishing a trip to the Etihad on Saturday. With Guardiola’s side briefly looking to reclaim top spot, the former Barcelona boss will be demanding an impressive performance. Given Everton have failed to record a clean sheet in December, coupled with Leroy Sane’s scintillating run of form, we’re backing the German international to find the net once again.
Verdict: Leroy Sane to score anytime
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
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