England Premier League
Wednesday 17th February 2021
Kick off at 8:15pm GMT
Venue: Goodison Park
Match Preview:
If you look at Everton’s overall standing in the league you could think that the club have done very well this season but there is an underwhelming feeling about the club, like they could have done even better.
This was compounded last weekend when they lost their third game at home from their last four against 18th placed Fulham, losing in the end 2-0. Fulham to their credit played very well but on the other side Everton were very poor. It is unfortunate because the club have pulled off some wonderful results this season and come into this game in 7th place with a chance to join Liverpool on the same points. However they are 16 points behind Manchester City but because they have 2 games in hand over a few teams above them a 4th place is not out of the question.
However there does seem to be a problem playing at Goodison Park for the club where based on home form only they would be in 14th place. Only 14 points from a possible 33 have been earned at home and 4 wins from 11 is not a good return. One wonders how Everton will approach this game? Defend and counter, or try to attack? One of the problems for Everton has been starting very slow in games and when this has repeated one has to wonder about the motivation skills of manager Carlo Ancelotti? But of course he is one of the best and most experienced managers in the game and Everton should be able, one suspects, to find their consistency again.
Manchester City have simply been phenomenal over the past two months. It’s as if they have looked at a league which has seen several different leaders over the course of the season and simply took it by the scruff of the neck and showed other teams what they can do. There is a fine balance between defence and midfield which has helped them greatly.
City have earned 30 points from their last 30 and that is why they are in 1st place and 7 points clear at the top with a game in hand over 2nd placed Manchester United. Right now this is a league for City to lose, and they look in fantastic shape.
Away from home Pep Guardiola’s side have won 7 games from 11 and conceded just 7 goals which is the best defensive record in the league. City don’t mind Merseyside trips also as their last away game ended in a 4-1 win over Liverpool.
Team News:
Everton: Jordan Pickford will face a late test after he has missed several games due to his rib injury. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been ruled out of this game with his hamstring injury but there is hope that it is short term and he will be back by the weekend.
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne is 50/50 to return but has some fitness issues, he hasn’t been ruled out of this game though and will face a late assessment. Fernandinho looks likely to be out with his ongoing thigh injury.
Everton vs Man City Head to Head:
Last season this fixture ended 3-1 to Manchester City.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Manchester City won 2-1.
5 from the last six league games has seen both teams to score.
It’s been 7 games since Everton have beaten Manchester City in the league, the last of these was when Everton were at home back in 2017.
Everton vs Man City Prediction:
How do you respond? That is the question probably coming from the lips of Carlo Ancelotti to his players. That is what the Italian will want. Playing Manchester City you could expect to lose, but Ancelotti will want a response from his team, he will want to see fight, passion and hunger and if Everton lose the game after all of that so be it.
Everton can usually raise their game against the better sides and they will try and stay compact and they certainly have players that can cause City problems. But the absence of Calvert-Lewin is a big loss after his goals this season. Everton will believe a draw against City is as good as a win and of course Manchester United will have one eye on this match, but City will be everyone’s favourites to go 10 points clear at the top and Everton’s home form does not suggest like they can stop Guardiola’s team from doing so.
Everton vs Man City Betting Tips:
Anytime goalscorer: Gabriel Jesus at 2.10
Asian handicap (-1 Man City) at 1.53
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