Everton's recent euphoric 5-1 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion has set the tone for their much-awaited clash with title holders Manchester City at Goodison Park in the Premier League (4 pm).
Currently languishing in the 17th position on the table, Sean Dyche's Toffees are perched precariously, just a solitary point above the dreaded relegation zone. Despite winning just two of their last ten league games, Everton has been a force to be reckoned with at home, scoring in nine of their last ten matches. Barring Seamus Coleman, who is out with a knee injury, the rest of the squad is fit.
Man City have been winners 12 times the last 18 times these sides have met, with the hosts registering only two wins.
The looming second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid will undoubtedly be weighing heavily on his mind as he selects his starting eleven for this upcoming match. With a plethora of attacking options at his disposal, the likes of Julian Alvarez, Riyad Mahrez, and Phil Foden are expected to form a formidable front line. However, if City needs to put the game to bed early, Guardiola may opt to unleash the deadly scoring prowess of Haaland.
Man City's defensive vulnerabilities on the road have come to the fore, with the team conceding in each of their last four away matches. In the Premier League, their recent form has been a mixed bag, winning and conceding in six of their last seven encounters.
Everton Premier League form (Last 6 matches): LLDLDW
Manchester City Premier League form (Last 6 matches): WWWWWW
Everton possible Starting XI:
Pickford, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Yerry Mina, Patterson, Doucoure, Garner, Iwobi, McNeil, Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Manchester City possible Starting XI:
Ederson, Dias, Rico Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Gundogan, Rodri, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez.
Key pointers:
STANDARD TIPSTAR PREDICTION: Everton 1-3 Manchester City
The prospects of BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE here are high even though the visitor rarely drop points against struggling opposition. The fact that Man City have conceded a goal in the last 6 fixtures they have won should give Everton hope of finding the net at least once. An AWAY WIN is definitely on the cards, as City cannot afford to drop points with Arsenal breathing down their necks.