Manchester City will look to recover from consecutive setbacks when they host Everton today. Ronald Koeman will face off against Pep Guardiola having introduced him to the Dutch way of football but there will be no friendly gestures during the match, which both the enigmatic personalities will be desperate to win. The former Catalonians will face for the first time on English soil.
Everton are 5th in the table and will be eager to prove to the critics who have cited their easy fixtures for their current standing and putting up a good show against the No.1 team will go a long way in silencing the critics. City, on the other hand, came in for scrutiny after their unbeaten record came to a screeching halt against Spurs. They will be eager to dispel any notions of having being found out by putting in a strong display aginst the Toffees.
TEAM NEWS
MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City pair Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling could return from respective hamstring and calf injuries.
Fabian Delph could also be involved and Vincent Kompany is training after a groin problem, but Bacary Sagna has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
EVERTON
Everton defender Leighton Baines is available after a two-match absence with a hamstring strain.
Romelu Lukaku and Phil Jagielka have recovered from thigh problems and Darron Gibson is fit.
Aaron Lennon and James McCarthy will be assessed.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Clichy; Fernandinho; Nolito, Silva, Gundogan, Navas; Aguero
EVERTON (4-3-3)
Stekelenburg; Coleman, Williams, Jagielka, Baines; Cleverly, Barry, Gueye; Bolasie, Barkley, Lukaku
KEY MEN
MANCHESTER CITY
SERGIO AGUERO
The Argentine hitman will be looking to leave behind his woes with the National team and put in a strong performance against Everton for his club. Kun Aguero has scored 28 goals in his last 28 Premier League matches which bear testimony to his importance to the team. He is City’s serial goalscorer and the Sky Blues need him to be on target for Everton to be gunned down.
EVERTON
ROMELU LUKAKU
The big Belgian is expected to shake off a minor niggle and be fit for the testing encounter with the Premier League leaders. He has traditionally worried the City defenders with his pace and strength and it won’t be anything different today. Stones will come up against his teammate from Everton and sparks are sure to fly with both the players expected to stick into each other. (!)
BETTING ODDS
MANCHESTER CITY- 1/2
DRAW-15/4
EVERTON- 6/1
