Manchester City will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face Everton on Saturday. The Sky Blues fell to a shock defeat against a Tottenham Hotspur side which followed Antonio Conte’s instructions to a tee with Harry Kane providing the star turn against his summer suitors.
Pep Guardiola will face an under pressure Frank Lampard who has been tasked with the difficult job of resurrecting a dwindling Everton season. And the stats don’t back up the former Chelsea manager either.
Everton have won just one of their last 17 games against Manchester City, losing the last eight in a row.
Thus, Lampard will have his task cut out against the Cityzens who will be wary themselves of a Toffees side possessing the capability to shock.
MAN CITY EARLY TEAM NEWS
Jack Grealish, Gabriel Jesus and Cole Palmer are the major injury issues plaguing the City squad. The English international could be fit by the time City play Everton with Pep previously stating he was ‘unlikely’ to play against the Lilywhites rather than completely ruling him out last weekend.
Pep is unlikely to rotate much and will stick to his ‘best’ XI given the mishap against Spurs.
PREDICTED MAN CITY LINEUP vs EVERTON (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson wasn’t at his best against Tottenham and despite a fantastic save to deny Kane, much more is expected of him.
Kyle Walker will play right-back in the Man City lineup while Joao Cancelo will retain his spot on the left.
We are likely to see a change in defence with either Aymeric Laporte or Ruben Dias making way for John Stones.
MIDFIELD
Rodri was below-par last weekend but will be ready to face an uninspiring Everton midfield.
He is likely to be flanked by Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in the Man City lineup.
ATTACK
Raheem Sterling has been impressive in recent weeks and is guaranteed to feature in the Man City lineup provided Grealish and Jesus miss out.
Riyad Mahrez will return to the starting XI after his absence proved to be costly last weekend.
While Phil Foden wasn’t at his best in the false 9 role, provided Jesus remains out, he will continue to feature through the middle.
