It's 7th versus 4th as Everton and Manchester City lock horns at Goodison Park this weekend, both looking for the three points for entirely different reasons. Three points here, and Manchester City can begin to wave goodbye to the Europa League and shout a big hello to the Champions' League; three points for Everton, and they could provide the perfect distraction to hinder their rivals' (Liverpool) push for European football next season.
Everton.
Despite their disappointing results of late away to Wigan and Manchester United, Everton are on a decent run of form, having picked up 11 points from their last 6 games. That sees them sit 6th in the Premier League Form Table, two places behind their opponents on Saturday. But not only has their Form Table position shot up, oh no... Everton sit in a comfortable 7th in the Premier League. Impressive wins away at Wolves and Newcastle have really boosted the Goodison faithful, and they will be hoping to continue their excellent recent home form against Manchester City. Everton are unbeaten at home in 2011, despite losing 3 games at home in the first half of the season, and they will be hoping to continue that form on Saturday.
Fellaini, Heitinga and Louis Saha will all miss this clash due to injuries, and with no suspensions, I expect Everton to start with the same team that they fielded against Wigan. And for those of you that missed it, here it is:
..........................Howard..........................
Hibbert...Jagielka............Distin........Baines
.....Osman...Rodwell......Neville.....Arteta...
..............................Cahill..........................
..........Anichebe........................................
Now onto Manchester City.
The men from Manchester will also be hoping that their recent form continues, having picked up 4 wins from 6 in all competitions. But their away form tells a completely different story. City have just 1 win in 6 away from home, and their recent record against Everton would scare even the optimistic City fan. Everton were the last team to beat Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium, and City haven't beaten Everton in the league since 2009 (when Robinho and Ireland made sure of a 2-1 victory on that day). But despite all this, at the moment, City are on a good run of form, having won all three of their last three games in all competitions (1-0, 1-0 and 2-1)
With Tevez, Richards, Boateng and Given being unable to play, and de Jong and Zabaleta being doubts due to injures they picked up in the win over West Ham, I think Manchester City will be forced to changed the lineup they've played in their last three games.
..........................Hart.........................
Boyata....Kompany..Lescott...Kolarov
..........................Barry........................
.................Milner......Y.Touré.............
...Johnson........Balotelli......Silva..........
Lescott will face his old team and be sure to hear jeers from the Everton fans still hurt by his departure.
My prediction:
Due to my natural pessimism, being a Manchester City fan, I expect Everton to win 2-0. City haven't been performing incredibly well in the league recently, and I fear that Mancini may make the fatal decision of allowing City to run riot in the first 15 minutes, and then invite Everton to come and have a go.
It also feels like City just can't put chances away sometimes, and this may come back to haunt the Sky Blues as the game progresses, so I'm going for a Merseyside celebration this time.
Good preview Rob. It always seems to be a struggle this fixture but I think we'll come away with something.
ReplyDelete