Manchester City vs Everton Preview

• City to win
• Both teams to score – No

Manchester City host Everton on Boxing Day in a Premier League encounter that could provide contrasting fortunes for two sides with vastly different recent form.

While City aim to halt their worrying slide, Everton look to build on their newfound defensive solidity as they aim to steer clear of the relegation zone.

Manchester City: Searching for Solutions

Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens are enduring an uncharacteristic slump, with just one win from their last 12 matches across all competitions (D2, L9).

The reigning champions sit outside the Premier League’s top six at Christmas—a remarkable fall for a side that has dominated English football in recent years.

City’s defensive frailties have been glaring, conceding two or more goals in each of their last four matches (D1, L3).

With Guardiola calling for his team to “find a way,” this meeting with Everton provides an opportunity to bounce back. City are unbeaten in their last 15 matches against Everton (W13, D2) and have kept clean sheets in three of the last four home H2Hs.

However, a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last week means City risk losing back-to-back home league matches for the first time since May 2021. Guardiola will be counting on his team to rediscover their defensive organisation and clinical edge.

Key Player: Erling Haaland

Haaland has scored just once in his last six matches but has a strong record against Everton, netting four goals in three meetings, including three at the Etihad. A return to form for the Norwegian striker could be pivotal for City.

Everton: Resolute but Goal-Shy

Sean Dyche’s Everton have turned themselves into a hard-to-beat unit, boasting five clean sheets from their last six league matches (W1, D4, L1).

Recent goalless draws against Arsenal and Chelsea highlight their defensive discipline, but a lack of firepower remains a concern. Everton have scored just 14 goals in the league, with only bottom-placed Southampton managing fewer.

Despite their defensive improvements, Everton’s away form is troubling, with just one away win in over a year (D7, L11). Dyche will be eager to see his side convert their resilience into victories, particularly as the club’s new owners will be looking for tangible progress in the league standings.

Key Player: Idrissa Gana Gueye

Gueye has been a key figure in midfield, and his assist for Everton’s last goal at the Etihad in 2022 demonstrates his ability to make meaningful contributions in high-pressure games.

Tactical Battle

• Manchester City’s Approach:
   City will dominate possession and look to exploit Everton’s deep defensive setup with intricate passing and overlapping runs. Kevin De Bruyne’s vision and Haaland’s movement will be key to breaking down Everton’s compact backline.
• Everton’s Approach:
   Everton are likely to sit deep, relying on their defensive organisation and looking for counter-attacking opportunities. Set-pieces, where players like James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can pose a threat, could be crucial to their strategy.

What’s at Stake?

• Manchester City: A win is essential to arrest their slump and keep pace with the top four, restoring confidence in Guardiola’s side.
• Everton: Avoiding defeat would further solidify their defensive improvements and extend the gap to the relegation zone, boosting morale heading into the new year.

Head-to-Head Insights

• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 15 meetings with Everton (W13, D2).
• City risk losing back-to-back home league matches for the first time since May 2021.
• Everton have kept five clean sheets in their last six league matches, but their only away win in over a year came against Brighton in May 2023.
• Haaland has scored four goals in three games against Everton, three of which were at the Etihad.

Prediction

Manchester City’s dominance against Everton and their attacking quality, despite recent struggles, give them the edge in this fixture. Everton’s defensive resilience will make it a tight game, but City’s firepower, particularly from Haaland, should prove decisive.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Everton

This Boxing Day clash offers an intriguing narrative, with City desperate to recover their form and Everton aiming to frustrate their hosts. Can Guardiola’s side reassert their dominance, or will Dyche’s Toffees spring a surprise? Fans are in for a fascinating contest.

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Man City v Everton, 2024/25 | Premier League