Prediction: Manchester City vs Everton

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to mark their return from the international break with a statement on home soil, Manchester City will welcome Everton to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have been left stunned by that 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace last month, the defending Premier League champions have managed to prove that was just a minor blip. Putting on what was a rampant display when heading into the international break, Pep Guardiola’s side breezed their way to a deserved 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. Appearing to have put their minor October blip behind them, many have tipped the Sky Blues as a leading contender to defend their crown. Smelling the chance to lay down a marker on Sunday afternoon, the former Bayern Munich boss has also seen his star-studded squad enjoy an impressive European romp. Marking their return to action this weekend sat three points adrift of Chelsea and top spot, City will be boosted by a rather stellar record against Everton. Including a 5-0 win when they welcomed the Merseyside outfit to the Etihad back in May, Guardiola’s men have won each of their last eight straight meetings against this weekend’s guests.

Team News

Returning a positive COVID-19 test earlier in the week, Kevin De Bruyne will mis Manchester City’s next three games.

However, after serving a suspension, defender Aymeric Laporte could return and partner Ruben Dias on Sunday afternoon.

Everton

As for the visitors, managing to enter the international break with an uneventful 0-0 stalemate against Tottenham at Goodison Park, Everton will be desperate that result can kick start their campaign. Although the Blues might have opened the 2021/22 campaign with a shock bounce, Rafa Benitez’s new squad have rather come crashing back down to earth. With many on Merseyside still questioning the former Liverpool boss, Sunday’s guests now mark their return to action sat in the bottom-half of the Premier League table. However, while Everton might be seeking a much-needed boost at the Etihad this weekend, they are currently in the midst of a five-match top-flight winless run. With their recent issues highlighted by that stunning collapse against Watford on home soil as they slumped to a 5-2 drumming, Benitez’s side have also won just one of their previous eight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to September 13th. Losing each of their last eight meetings against City by an aggregate score of 23-5, the Blues should be in for another long afternoon.

Team News

In what is a real blow for Everton, England international Dominic Calvert-Lewin will once again miss out with a thigh injury on Sunday afternoon.

Shown a straight red against Tottenham last time out, defender Mason Holgate will start his suspension this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Sunday’s opponents last faced off at the Etihad back in May, Manchester City picked up a 5-0 romp.
• Likewise, the defending Premier League champions have won each of their last eight meetings against Everton by an aggregate score of 23-5.
• Everton have collected just a pair of points from their last five Premier League matchups.
• The Blues have also recorded just a single win from any of their previous eight matchups across all formats.
• Manchester City have conceded just four Premier League goals since opening the 2021/22 campaign.

Conclusion

Managing to enter the international break with a routine 2-0 win at Old Trafford, Manchester City should be looking to lay down another marker on Sunday afternoon. Hoping to close their three-point deficit to Chelsea, the defending Premier League champions will be boosted by a rampant record against this weekend’s guests. Storming their way to a 5-0 victory when Everton last visited the Etihad back in May, Pep Guardiola’s men have won each of their last eight meetings against Merseyside outfit. Winning each of those last eight meetings by an aggregate score of 23-5, we’re backing a similar home victory on Sunday.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet