Everton vs. Manchester City | Premier League | Pre Match
Everton vs. Manchester City
Seeking to solidify their position within the coveted top-five echelon of the Premier League, Manchester City embark on a challenging journey to Goodison Park, where they will lock horns with a resurgent Everton side on Saturday afternoon. The Citizens, under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, are acutely aware of the significance of this fixture, as a victory could bolster their aspirations of securing Champions League qualification for the forthcoming season. However, the memory of their previous encounter with Everton lingers like an unwelcome specter; in December, the two sides played out a frustrating 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, a result that left Manchester City ruing missed opportunities and underscored Everton’s tenacity. That stalemate was a microcosm of City’s occasional struggles to break down defensively resolute opponents, a challenge they will face again at Goodison Park, where Everton have rediscovered a sense of resilience and purpose. Manchester City’s attacking prowess, which has seen them breach the century mark for goals in the 2024-25 season across all competitions, will be tested against an Everton side that has undergone a remarkable transformation under their new manager, David Moyes. The Citizens will need to summon all their ingenuity and firepower to overcome a Toffees outfit buoyed by recent successes and a formidable home record.
Everton’s campaign, which teetered on the brink of calamity earlier in the season, has been nothing short of a revelation since David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in mid-January. At the time of Moyes’ appointment, the Toffees were perilously positioned just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, their survival in the top flight hanging by a thread. Fast forward to the present, and Everton find themselves a staggering 17 points clear of the bottom three, a testament to Moyes’ managerial acumen and the squad’s renewed vigor. With five games remaining after their clash with Manchester City, Everton stand on the cusp of mathematically securing their Premier League status, a feat that seemed improbable just months ago. Moyes has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, amassing 21 points from 13 top-flight fixtures, a haul surpassed by only four other Premier League teams during the same period. His record of five wins, six draws, and just two defeats speaks volumes about his ability to galvanize a squad that was previously bereft of confidence. Most recently, Everton secured a stunning 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest, a result that showcased their ability to seize critical moments. The match at the City Ground appeared destined for a goalless draw until Abdoulaye Doucoure capitalized on a lightning-fast breakaway in the fourth minute of stoppage time, delivering a clinical finish that propelled Everton to their eighth league win of the season and their fifth under Moyes’ tutelage. This triumph not only underscored Everton’s newfound resilience but also elevated them to 13th in the Premier League table, a position that reflects their upward trajectory.
The Toffees’ resurgence has been particularly pronounced at Goodison Park, where they return this Saturday with the wind in their sails. Everton are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home games, a streak that has instilled a sense of invincibility among the players and the fervent Goodison faithful. However, their last four home matches have all ended in draws, a statistic that highlights both their defensive solidity and their occasional struggles to convert chances into victories. Everton have never drawn five consecutive home league games in their storied history, and they will be eager to avoid etching this unwanted record against Manchester City. Despite their impressive home form, Everton face a daunting challenge, as their record against the Citizens is nothing short of dismal. The Toffees are winless in their last 15 Premier League encounters with Manchester City, managing just three draws and suffering 12 defeats since their last victory—a resounding 4-0 triumph at Goodison Park in January 2017. That result remains a high-water mark for Everton, as it represents the joint-heaviest defeat of Pep Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career. The memory of that victory, though distant, will serve as a source of inspiration for Everton as they seek to upset the odds and derail Manchester City’s top-five ambitions.
Manchester City, for their part, arrive at Goodison Park with a blend of confidence and caution. Their recent performances have been a study in contrasts, oscillating between moments of brilliance and unexpected vulnerability. Just a week after enduring one of the most lackluster Manchester derbies in recent memory, City found themselves in a precarious position against Crystal Palace, trailing by two goals within the opening 21 minutes. The Etihad Stadium faithful braced for a rare home defeat, but Guardiola’s men responded with characteristic resolve, orchestrating a stunning comeback spearheaded by the talismanic Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to depart the club at the season’s end. De Bruyne’s influence was pivotal as City overwhelmed Palace with a 5-2 scoreline, a result that reaffirmed their attacking potency and bolstered their hopes of securing a Champions League berth. The victory was a microcosm of City’s season: a slow start followed by an avalanche of goals, with their 102 goals across all competitions in 2024-25 marking the 12th consecutive season they have surpassed the century mark—a record unmatched by any other top-flight team in history. Over their last four Premier League fixtures, City have accumulated eight points, with two wins and two draws, and their triumph over Palace propelled them back into the top five with six games remaining in the campaign.
Despite their prolific scoring record, Manchester City’s recent away form has been a cause for concern. Since dismantling Ipswich Town with a 6-0 thrashing at Portman Road in January, City have struggled to replicate that ruthlessness on their travels. Across their last four Premier League away games, they have managed just two goals, securing one win, one draw, and suffering two defeats. Alarmingly, they failed to score in their last two away fixtures, losing 1-0 at Nottingham Forest and drawing 0-0 against Manchester United. The last time City failed to score in three consecutive away games was in December 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini, a statistic that underscores the rarity of their current scoring drought on the road. Nevertheless, City will draw confidence from their impeccable record at Goodison Park, where they have won each of their last eight visits across all competitions, scoring two or more goals on seven of those occasions. This historical dominance will embolden Guardiola’s side as they seek to rekindle their attacking spark and maintain their pursuit of a top-five finish.
Both teams face significant injury concerns heading into the fixture, which could shape the tactical approaches of Moyes and Guardiola. Everton will be without Jesper Lindstrom, who may have played his final game for the club following a hernia operation, as well as Orel Mangala (knee) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring). Dwight McNeil, recently returned from a long-term knee injury, has made two substitute appearances but may not be ready to start, with Jack Harrison likely to retain his place on the right flank. Carlos Alcaraz could once again serve as an impact substitute, while Iliman Ndiaye and Abdoulaye Doucoure are expected to continue in advanced midfield roles. Up front, Beto could be recalled to lead the line at the expense of Armando Broja, who has struggled to make an impact in recent weeks. Manchester City, meanwhile, are grappling with a lengthy injury list that threatens to derail their momentum. Goalkeeper Ederson aggravated a groin issue against Palace and is set to join Rodri (ACL), Nathan Ake (foot), John Stones (thigh), Erling Haaland (ankle), and Manuel Akanji (abductor) in the treatment room. Phil Foden, nursing a knock, faces a late fitness test, adding further uncertainty to City’s lineup. In goal, Stefan Ortega is poised to deputize for Ederson, while Guardiola may shuffle his defensive pack after a shaky opening against Palace. Matheus Nunes could replace Rico Lewis at right-back, and Abdukodir Khusanov might be recalled at center-back if Josko Gvardiol shifts to left-back in place of Nico O’Reilly. In midfield, Bernardo Silva, who scored in the reverse fixture against Everton, is pushing for a starting berth, while De Bruyne and Omar Marmoush are likely to be joined in attack by either Savinho or Jeremy Doku, with James McAtee potentially making way.
As the two sides prepare to renew hostilities, the stage is set for a compelling battle at Goodison Park. Everton, buoyed by their revival under Moyes and their unbeaten home streak, will look to channel the spirit of their 2017 triumph and upset the odds against a Manchester City side desperate to maintain their top-five position. For City, the challenge lies in rediscovering their scoring touch away from home while navigating a mounting injury crisis. With both teams harboring ambitions of achieving their respective goals, Saturday’s clash promises to be a fiercely contested affair, replete with tactical intrigue and moments of individual brilliance.
