Manchester City will clash heads with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday evening as the teams look set to resume their FA Cup campaign. The Citizens will be heading into the contest on the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, whereas the Toffees lost 2-1 to Burnley at home.
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. Gabriel Jesus might get the nod over Bernardo Silva, whereas Raheem Sterling looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Everton
Defence
Zack Steffen will replace Ederson Moraes in between the sticks for the upcoming away encounter. The American shot-stopper will be hoping to make the most of his opportunity against Carlo Ancelotti’s men on Saturday.
Nathan Ake, who has been out of action since December with a muscle injury, was fit enough to make the bench in midweek; however, the Dutch centre-back could be ready to start against Everton.
“I want Nathan to be involved as soon as possible,” – Guardiola revealed in his press conference prior to the Monchengladbach game.
“He flies with us, and as soon as he can be involved, I want to do it.”
As a result, Aymeric Laporte is expected to form the centre-half partnership with Nathan Ake at the heart of Manchester City’s backline.
Oleksandr Zinchenko will replace Joao Cancelo at the left-back position, whereas Kyle Walker will fill in on the other flank as the right-back. The full-backs will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.
Midfield
Fernandinho will replace Rodri in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the away side’s back-four.
Ilkay Gundogan will slot into the central midfield role, whereas Kevin de Bruyne is expected to start in the attacking midfield position. The duo got their names on the scoresheet against Borussia Monchengladbach, and they’ll be hoping to repeat more of the same this weekend.
Phil Foden will have to settle for a place on the bench but might come on in the latter stages of the game if called upon.
Attack
Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing respectively.
Gabriel Jesus will lead the line for the visitors against Everton. The Brazilian international will have to make the most of his chances when he faces off against the Everton defence that has kept three clean sheets in their last five league matches.
Veteran striker Sergio Aguero might be brought on in the second forty-five minutes of the contest if needed.
