What a game we have on our hands on Sunday! While Liverpool and Manchester United lock horns with each other at Old Trafford in the biggest game in England, the other halves of Merseyside and Manchester will also lock horns. Everton will host Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday and it should be a well-contested game. Everton’s form this season has been quite up and down while Manchester City are yet to find consistency in their game.
A Manchester City side without Fernandinho won convincingly against West Ham in the FA Cup with a 5-0 margin. Even though they were down to 10 men against Burnley, the Sky Blues won the game eventually. However, overcoming Everton will be a big challenge for the Pep’s side. The Toffees have won three out of their last six games. So, it is pretty clear that they are not in their best form.
Here is the predicted Everton lineup against Manchester City.
Defence
Joel Robles will keep his place under the bar. Maarten Stekelenburg is injured and will miss the game and even if he was fit, Robles was likely to start anyway. Koeman is likely to play a back-three against Manchester City. Phil Jagielka is unlikely to get the nod ahead of youngster Mason Holgate. The youngster is likely to start at left centre-back. The right side of the three-man defence will be occupied by Ashley Williams. Ramiro Funes Mori will start at the centre of the three-man back line.
Midfield
Idrissa Gueye will be a major absentee for the game due to his involvement in the African Cup of Nations. His absence will be a big one to fill in and youngster Tom Davies will be assigned that job. Gareth Barry will certainly keep his place in the middle of the park. Ross Barkley will start in an advanced playmaker role.
Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines have done really well this season and will cherish their wing-back roles. Both of them are attack-minded and it will be a challenge for Guardiola to stop the duo.
Attack
Romelu Lukaku will start up front and will be looking to impress in the big game. He will be partnered by Enner Valencia in the attack who has done a good job of late. The two have done well with each other recently, creating opportunities for each other and will be looking to cut City’s errant defence open.
