Everton Vs Manchester City

Everton’s Dwight McNeil is edging closer to securing a first start since December 4, following two brief substitute appearances in recent matches against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. McNeil has been sidelined for some time but his return to full fitness and availability for starting positions could provide a much-needed boost to the Everton squad as they prepare for their next challenge in the Premier League.

On the injury front, Everton will still be without their star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who remains out of action. His continued absence has been a blow to the team, leaving them reliant on other attacking options to provide the necessary firepower up front.

For Manchester City, there have been some injury concerns that will affect their lineup. The most notable is goalkeeper Ederson, who has been ruled out of the trip to Goodison Park due to the recurrence of a groin injury. This setback for Ederson is a significant blow to the reigning Premier League champions, given his crucial role in the team’s overall success. He sustained the injury during their recent victory over Crystal Palace and will not be available for selection.

However, Manchester City will be able to call upon some key players who have returned from injury. Midfielder Phil Foden is back in contention after missing the previous match due to a foot injury, and his presence in the squad will certainly provide a lift. Additionally, central defender Manuel Akanji has resumed training after undergoing groin surgery, which brings further defensive options for Pep Guardiola as he looks to maintain the strength of his backline.

Looking ahead to the match, the head-to-head record between these two teams reveals a clear advantage for Manchester City in recent years. Everton have not managed to secure a victory over City in their last 15 Premier League encounters, with their last win coming in January 2017 under former manager Ronald Koeman. Since that 4-0 triumph, Everton have struggled to get the better of their highly-favored opponents, and the upcoming match will provide them with yet another tough challenge.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Manchester City and Everton played out a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, but City have typically enjoyed a strong record against the Toffees. The last time they failed to win both league meetings in a single season was back in 2017, and they will be eager to continue their dominance in this encounter.

For Everton, they have made modest progress under the management of David Moyes, having accumulated 21 points from a possible 39 in the league under his stewardship. While they have shown defensive resilience, conceding just 25 goals since mid-September, the Toffees have struggled at times to find the back of the net, which has been a limiting factor in their overall performance.

One of Everton’s key strengths this season has been their proficiency from set-pieces. The team has scored 44% of their 34 Premier League goals from set-pieces, the highest ratio in the league. This set-piece threat could prove to be a decisive factor in their upcoming match against Manchester City, as they look to exploit any opportunities to break down the City defense.

However, Everton’s home form has been inconsistent of late. They have drawn four consecutive home league matches, which represents their longest such run since February 2015. Despite this, they will be eager to avoid a fifth straight home draw, a feat that has never been achieved in the club’s Premier League history. The Toffees will be hoping to break their current home stalemate and secure a crucial victory on home soil.

Looking at Everton’s recent form against teams above them in the league table, they have been relatively competitive, losing just one of their last eight Premier League matches against such opponents (W4, D3). This solid record gives them hope that they can put up a strong challenge against Manchester City, who are well above them in the standings.

Since Moyes returned to Everton as manager in mid-January, the Toffees have suffered only two defeats in the Premier League, a record that is second only to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. Moyes’ solid defensive setup has been a hallmark of his reign so far, and Everton’s resilience against top sides will be something they aim to build upon.

However, Moyes does have a poor personal record against Manchester City in the Premier League, going winless in his last 15 encounters with the Cityzens (D2, L13). This includes a series of difficult defeats, although his previous spell as Everton manager saw him register 12 victories over City, including the last four encounters at Goodison Park. This historical success at home could provide some optimism for Everton fans, as they prepare to face the current champions.

A standout player for Everton this season has been midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. He has enjoyed a significant upturn in form, scoring three goals in his last eight Premier League appearances, after finding the net just once in his previous 36 league matches for the club. Doucoure’s improvement under Moyes has been evident in his attacking contributions, with his shot output increasing significantly from an average of 0.7 per 90 minutes under Sean Dyche to 1.6 per 90 minutes under Moyes. He has also been more involved in the opposition penalty area, averaging 3.3 touches per 90 minutes compared to just 1.5 under Dyche.

This increase in offensive output from Doucoure is one of the key positive developments for Everton as they look to break their scoring drought and add some much-needed creativity to their attack. If Doucoure continues his good form, he could be a key player for Everton in the upcoming fixture against Manchester City.

Turning to Manchester City, they come into this match with a dominant record both domestically and in Europe. However, their form on the road in the Premier League has been slightly concerning in recent months. City have managed to score only two goals in their last four away league matches, a run of form that has raised some questions about their attacking efficiency away from home. If they fail to score in three consecutive away games, it will be the first time since December 2015, under Manuel Pellegrini, that City have experienced such a slump on the road.

Despite this, Manchester City remains a formidable force, as evidenced by their recent 5-0 win over Crystal Palace. The victory took their total goals scored for the 2024-25 season to 102, marking the 12th consecutive season in which they have scored 100 or more goals. This remarkable achievement is the longest streak of its kind in top-flight history, further solidifying City’s attacking prowess.

The five goals scored against Palace were as many as City had scored in their previous six matches combined, signaling a potential return to their clinical best in front of goal. Despite their recent struggles away from home, City’s overall attacking threat remains one of the most potent in the Premier League.

One of the standout performers for Manchester City this season has been goalkeeper Ederson. Known for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities and distribution, Ederson has also proven to be a valuable contributor in attack. He has provided four Premier League assists from open play this season, more than any other goalkeeper in the league and more than any Everton player. His ability to launch counter-attacks and pick out teammates with precision passes has made him a unique asset for City.

In the midfield, Kevin De Bruyne continues to be a driving force for Manchester City. The Belgian playmaker has scored 30 Premier League goals from outside the penalty area, becoming just the sixth player to achieve such a feat. De Bruyne has also been directly involved in six goals in his last six Premier League starts, scoring once and assisting five times. His ability to create chances and score goals from midfield makes him one of the most influential players in the league.

In attack, City’s summer signing Omar Marmoush has been in excellent form, scoring six goals in his first 10 Premier League appearances. Marmoush has also been more clinical than his teammates, recording 15 shots on target, seven more than any other City player. His ability to get into dangerous positions and convert chances has been a welcome addition to City’s attacking setup, and he will likely play a key role in their push for the title.

With both teams having their strengths and weaknesses, the upcoming match between Everton and Manchester City promises to be an intriguing contest. Everton will need to rely on their defensive solidity and set-piece prowess, while Manchester City will look to overcome their recent away struggles and continue their prolific attacking form. With both teams possessing standout players who can change the course of the game, fans can expect an exciting and closely contested encounter.