The 2024/25 Premier League season resumes this week with Gameweek 18 action, and the festive football continues in England. The round kicks off with a crucial clash between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium, with both sides desperately needing all three points.
Manchester City vs Everton Current Form
Manchester City, the reigning champions, have struggled to maintain their dominance this season. Despite aiming for an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title, Pep Guardiola’s side has faltered, securing just one win in their last 12 games across all competitions. This poor run has seen City slip to seventh place in the league table, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
On the other hand, Everton has shown resilience in recent weeks. After suffering a 4-0 drubbing against Manchester United earlier this month, Sean Dyche’s team bounced back with a three-match unbeaten streak, keeping clean sheets in each of those fixtures. Goalless draws against Arsenal and Chelsea highlight the Toffees’ newfound defensive solidity.
In their last meeting at the Etihad, Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory over Everton, with Erling Haaland netting both goals.
Manchester City vs Everton Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola faces a selection headache, with as many as seven first-team players potentially unavailable. Ederson Moraes (illness) and Matheus Nunes (knock) remain doubtful but could feature after late fitness tests. However, key players like John Stones (foot), Ruben Dias (calf), Nathan Ake (hamstring), Rodri (knee), and Oscar Bobb (leg) are sidelined.
In Ederson’s potential absence, Stefan Ortega is expected to start in goal. City will likely adopt their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, and Rico Lewis forming the backline. Mateo Kovacic and Kevin De Bruyne could operate in the midfield pivot, while Phil Foden assumes the playmaker role behind Erling Haaland. Jeremy Doku and Savinho are expected to provide width in attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis; De Bruyne, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Everton
Sean Dyche also has injury concerns, with Ashley Young suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. James Garner (lower back) and Tim Iroegbunam (ankle) remain unavailable, while Dwight McNeil and Armando Broja are pushing for late fitness checks.
Jordan Pickford will start in goal, with Everton likely setting up in a defensive 4-3-3 formation. Seamus Coleman, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitaliy Mykolenko should form the defensive line. Idrissa Gueye, Orel Mangala, and Abdoulaye Doucoure are expected to anchor the midfield, supporting Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison, and Iliman Ndiaye in attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure; Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye
Key Stats
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 15 matches against Everton across all competitions (W13, D2).
- Everton have managed just one win in their last 22 Premier League meetings with City, losing 12 of the previous 13.
- City have lost nine of their last 12 games across all competitions, equaling the number of defeats from their previous 112 matches.
- Everton’s seven clean sheets since October are the highest across Europe’s top five leagues, but their 6% shot conversion rate is the worst in the Premier League.
- City have won all seven Boxing Day home fixtures since 2002, while Everton remain unbeaten in their last eight Boxing Day away games.
Player to Watch: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
While Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne often dominate headlines, all eyes will be on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Everton’s star striker has struggled to find the back of the net, enduring a 12-game Premier League goal drought. However, if the Toffees are to pull off a surprise result at the Etihad, Calvert-Lewin must rediscover his scoring touch.
Prediction
Manchester City 0-0 Everton
Live Stream
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