Manchester City got off to a good start last weekend with a 2-0 away triumph at newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion. Pep Guardiola and his men will look to emulate last season’s terrific start when they face Everton in the Monday night kickoff.
Manager Ronald Koeman has managed to integrate Wayne Rooney into the side successfully. Indeed, the fallen England ace has been on fire throughout the summer, after leaving Manchester United in search of game-time.
The City fans will be looking forward to their first home game of the season. Some major new signings are set to start the Monday night game for both the teams.
Manchester City’s predicted line-up to face Everton
Pep Guardiola is very flexible and unpredictable with his formations, and tomorrow will be no different, as he looks to integrate his new recruits into line-up. They will be lining up in a 3-1-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper
Ederson impressed on his debut, but he will face a sterner test against a new-look Everton side.
Defence
The defence looked solid in last weekend’s away with Stalwart Vincent Kompany marshalling the back three. He is set to retain his place alongside John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.
Kyle Walker also performed admirably last week and will look to take that confidence into what will be his first League game in the Etihad as a City Player.
Danilo is also set to start on the left flank as Benjamin Mendy is still sidelined. The ex-Real Madrid player put in a good shift last time out. The manager will look to them to provide width as City will be expected to have most of the possession. Pep’s instructions for them will surely be to stretch the game as much as possible.
Midfield
Fernandinho kept out Yaya Toure for the holding role last weekend. The Ivorian will lose out again as Pep prefers the energy of the Brazilian. In the advanced midfield role, Kevin de Bruyne and club legend David Silva are set to resume orchestrating the play, a job which they excelled at last weekend (and indeed, whenever they’ve put on the Sky blue shirt).
Forwards
Sergio Aguero got the break-through goal last weekend and city fans will be hoping he continues to perform the way he has since signing for the club. The Argentine will be partnered by Brazilian teenage-sensation Gabriel Jesus, who had a great half-season with City after arriving in January.
Injuries and Suspensions
Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy are progressing well, but tomorrow will be too early for them to return. Both of them managed to participate in the training session held in Girona in mid-week.