Manchester City will be aiming to avoid a fourth straight defeat as they host Everton in a Premier League fixture on Thursday. The Toffees have a way of making things difficult for the big sides but City should just do enough to see out the win in front of their fans.
City head into Thursday’s clash in desperate need of a turnaround having lost their last three matches across all competitions. The latest defeat came at Villa Park as they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League.
If things are to get better for Manchester City, it is probably going to start at the Etihad as they have some recent results to build on. Pep Guardiola’s team beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in early December and can also count a 3-2 victory over Fulham among their recent home results.
Everton are coming off a 0-0 draw with Chelsea in their previous Premier League fixture to follow up a similar scoreline at Arsenal. While Sean Dyche has found a way to frustrate the big sides, the Toffees have struggled in attack, failing to score in six of their last seven matches.
For all their defensive approach, Everton still have a poor record on their travels and are winless in seven of their last eight Premier League away matches. They have suffered some heavy defeats on the road this season and were hammered 4-0 by both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
How the bookies view it: City still favoured
Despite all their problems Manchester City are still considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies at 3/10 by BoyleSports. A victory for Everton is valued at 15/2 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 4/1 for a draw.
Head to head: Dominant Citizens
Manchester City have dominated this fixture in recent times and are unbeaten in the last 15 matches against Everton. The Citizens have earned 13 wins in that run and did the double last season, winning 3-1 at Goodison Park before a 2-0 victory at the Etihad.
Players to watch: Haaland still the danger man
Erling Haaland may be looking off colour lately but remains the leading scorer for Manchester City with 13 Premier League goals this season. The striker also netted a brace in the last meeting with Everton and is priced at 4/7 by BoyleSports to get on the score sheet.
Everton will look to take advantage of Manchester City’s defensive frailties and Iliman Ndiaye could be the one to watch on Thursday. The forward is often the liveliest attacking threat for the Toffees and is priced at 13/2 by Betfred to get on the score sheet.
Probable line-ups
Manchester City have injury problems in defence, with John Stones, Ruben Dias and Ederson all sidelined while midfielder Rodri remains a long-term absentee. Kevin De Bruyne missed the defeat to Aston Villa and should return on Thursday while Haaland should continue to lead the line.
Ashley Young is suspended for Everton while Dwight McNeil is sidelined with injury. Seamus Coleman is likely to come in at right-back while Dominic Calvert-Lewin should continue in attack alongside Ndiaye and Jack Harrison.
Manchester City: Ortega, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gueye, Doucoure, Harrison, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin
Anything else catch the eye?
Manchester City’s defensive vulnerability will give Everton some optimism, which could see them open up slightly. Both teams could be backed to score on Thursday at 5/6 with BoyleSports, who are also offering 8/15 for over 2.5 goals.
Manchester City have struggled to keep clean sheets but should still have the upper hand, so a win and over 2.5 goals could be considered at 5/6 with BoyleSports. There have been more goals after the break in the last two meetings between both teams and a similar pattern is priced at 10/11 with BoyleSports.
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton will be played on Dec 26, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Everton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
