Manchester City v Everton Preview | Team News, Key Men and Stats

Manchester City’s struggling season has finally picked steam over the last few match days and the defending champions will look to keep the form going when they host Everton on December 6^th. While City have garnered 13 points from the previous 5 games, Everton have had a tough run, garnering just 6 points from a possible 15. Martinez will look instill belief into the Toffees season with an inspiring performance at Etihad and the tie will be important to the blue half of the Merseyside for more than just the result.

Team News

Manchester City

City have had some crucial injuries and are definitely without their Captain Kompany and Nastasic, forcing Manuel Pellegrini to go in with Demichelis and Boyatas his central defenders. Aleksander Kolarov, the other notable absentee is due to make his return in the next week. One of the key element of the resurgence at the club has been the imperious form of Sergio Aguero. With Eden Dzeko available for the weekend and the magical David Silva believed to be subject of a late fitness test, the club has enough ammunition in store for the Toffees.

Everton

James McCarthy, who has impressed one and all with his performances this season will be back in contention at Etihad. That will be huge boost to the Everton line-up as he has shown the ability break play and dictate terms. Other players due to return for the club are Steven Naismith and Oviedo. The club will be without the services of young defender John Stones, Darren Gibson and Alcarez as they are still nursing injuries.

Interesting Facts

Sergio Aguero boasts of the best mins-per-goal ratio in PL history at 108 minutes, ahead of Thierry Henry (122 Minutes) and Van Nistelrooy (128 minutes).

Everton players have made eight individual errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season; more than any other side.

Possible Lineups

Manchester City

Hart, Zabaleta, Boyata, Demichellis, Clichy, Fernandinho,  Toure, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Dzeko

Everton

Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Mirallas, Besic, Lukaku

Key Men

Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure has been the most consistent performer in City colours and it comes as no surprise that a dip in his form had many fans and critics going on about City’s possible title defence being frail. The Ivorian has since come back from the shadows and has been one of the driving forces behind the club’s impressive run. His passing range and ability to drive the team forward while being solid at the back make him one of the most complete players in the league. Toure has completed the highest number of passes at his club (1034 passes). He has created more than a chance every game apart from his 3 goals and would be keen to add to those numbers at Etihad.

Ross Barkley

The youngster, who has been constantly linked with a move to Etihad, has had a subdued impact on the fortunes of Everton ever since coming back from the injury he sustained in the pre-season. Barkley will need to be at the top of his game to create anything against a midfield that includes Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. His ability to break the oppositions play frequently and control the game alongside Barry and Osman would largely determine the fortunes of the team on Saturday.

Head to Head

Prediction

We expect the Manchester City juggernaut to roll on at home, albeit with some struggle. With the wide array of talent at its disposal, we expect City to beat Everton 2-0.