Manchester City FC vs Everton FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Manchester City FC vs Everton FC Match Prediction & Analysis

"City lost again!" has become a familiar refrain in footballing circles these days as Guardiola's men fell 1-2 to Aston Villa, marking their sixth Premier League loss in eight games. Desperate to end their slump, they now prepare for a crucial home clash against a side that's been pretty hard to beat. 

Everton head into their midweek clash against Manchester City with momentum on their side, having battled to back-to-back 0-0 draws against league leaders Arsenal and Chelsea. With Manchester City showing uncharacteristic fragility in recent weeks, Everton will head to the Etihad on Thursday sensing a golden opportunity to snatch valuable points. 

Current Standings: With 27 points (8 wins, 3 draws & 6 losses), they are currently placed 7th in the league standings, while Everton is placed 15th with 16 points (3 wins, 7 draws, and 6 defeats).

Head-to-Head Record: In 54 matches that have been played between the teams, City holds a significant advantage in this rivalry with a 26-18 win record.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Manchester City FC Preview

Six defeats in eight games, nine in their last twelve across all competitions, and losses in two of their last three outings—these are the grim stats Manchester City carries into their Boxing Day clash. With just four points from their last eight league matches, the reigning champions share the bottom of the form table with Southampton, a stunning fall for a team once considered invincible. The most alarming part? City’s freefall shows no signs of stopping, with poor player form and a growing injury list fuelling their decline.

Manchester City’s season has hit a rocky patch, and injuries to key players are proving to be a major stumbling block. The latest casualty is defender John Stones, who lasted only the first half against Aston Villa on his return from a month-long layoff, aggravating a lingering foot issue.Adding to City’s woes, Ruben Dias is sidelined with a calf injury, ruling him out for up to four weeks.Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ederson missed the Villa clash due to a niggle, further stretching Pep Guardiola’s resources during this challenging period.

Manchester City’s recent struggles have centred on one key area: putting the ball in the back of the net. It was highlighted in the game against Villa where Haaland didn’t touch the ball in the opponent's penalty area until the 90th minute. His finishing has been a growing concern, as he hasn't bagged a brace in a Premier League match since September's win over Brentford. 

Manchester City Probable XI - Ortega (GK), Walker, Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis, Gundogan, Kovacic, Grealish, Silva, Foden, Haaland

Everton FC Preview

Despite sitting 15th in the Premier League, Sean Dyche's Everton are not the team Manchester City would want to face right now. With five clean sheets in their last six matches, the Toffees have developed an impressive defensive resilience, frustrating even the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. Dyche’s tactical setup has made them a tough nut to crack, with a well-drilled backline led by the centre-back pair of James Tarkowski and Branthwaite. 

In their recent clash with the Blues, the Toffees  weathered a relentless 75% possession and 12 shots on goal, thanks to the commanding presence of James Tarkowski. The centre-back was a defensive wall, winning every duel against Chelsea, while his heroics included three blocks and seven clearances against Arsenal. Tarkowski's intelligent positioning and fearless shot-blocking make him Everton's standout player to watch out for this week.

Everton's squad is facing a few setbacks as Ashley Young picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, ruling him out of their upcoming trip to the Etihad. Meanwhile, injuries to Timothy Iroegbunam, James Garner, and Dwight McNeil add to the Toffees' worries. 

Everton Probable XI - Pickford (GK), Coleman, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Gueye, Doucoure, Mangala, Calvert-Lewin, Harrison, Ndiaye

MANCHESTER CITY FC vs EVERTON FC
Winning Prediction

On paper, Manchester City clearly holds the upper hand in this rivalry, especially when considering their home record against Everton. The defending champions are unbeaten in their last 14 home encounters with the Toffees. Moreover, they have won four and drawn just once in their last five meetings.

Under normal circumstances, given a choice between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad, one would undoubtedly favor Manchester City. However, these are not ordinary circumstances. City are facing significant challenges, while Everton are brimming with confidence entering the game.

Manchester City are overwhelming favorites to win the match, with odds of 1.33 against Everton's 7.50 and odds of 5.50 for a draw. Meanwhile, an xG of 3 can be expected for this match.

Manchester City to Win (2-1)

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