Everton will play hosts to the Premier League champions-elect at Goodison Park on Saturday looking to cause a mighty upset and enhance their chances of a top 7 finish at the end of this season. The Toffees are currently sitting in the 9th position in the Premier League standings with a tally of 40 points in 31 matches. They are just three points behind Burnley who are sitting in 7th place with a home match versus Manchester City looming on the horizon.
The recent history of the fixture makes a grim reading for the visitors as Everton have not tasted defeat in any of their previous three meetings with the Citizens. Sam Allardyce is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and will be without the services of Gylfi Sigurðsson for this clash.
4-2-3-1 Everton Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester City
Defence
Jordan Pickford will start in goal for the Toffees and might be protected by a back four of Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka in central defence while Seamus Coleman plays at right-back and Leighton Baines operates on the left side of the backline.
The Toffees defence has just kept one clean sheet in their last 12 matches across all competitions. Big Sam will be hoping that his backline can keep the Manchester City attackers at bay on Saturday.
Midfield
Idrissa Gueye is expected to be deployed as a deep-lying holding midfielder alongside Wayne Rooney while Tom Davies operate in front of the duo at the centre of the park. Davies got his name on the scoresheet against Crystal Palace last month and will look to repeat the feat when he laces up to face the Citizens this weekend.
Gylfi Sigurðsson has been ruled out of this match due to an injury so Yannick Bolasie might be deployed on the left flank. Theo Walcott will look to use his pace and create some chances while operating on the right side of the midfield. Walcott scored a brace of goals versus Leicester City so he will be expected to cause some problems to the City defence.
Attack
Cenk Tosun is expected to the lead the lines for the Toffees up top. The January arrival is currently enjoying a rich vein of form which has seen him score four goals in his last three Premier League appearances for Everton. The Turkish forward will look to continue his goal-scoring run when he takes on the Manchester City defence on Saturday.
