Despite inconsistent performances, Manchester City remain in contention for a top-five finish in the Premier League. And, at least for now, qualification for next season’s Champions League does not seem to be in doubt. However, the competition remains fierce, and one or more missteps could prove costly for Pep Guardiola’s team, whose failure would be even more resounding without a ticket to Europe’s premier club competition.
From third to seventh place, in fact, the gaps are minimal: five teams, including City, are separated by just three points. What’s more, the Catalan coach does not have an easy schedule ahead of him. In two games, for example, City face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
It would therefore be detrimental to lower their guard: they will need more performances like last Saturday’s against Crystal Palace, who were thrashed 5-2 in Manchester, to stay in the Champions League race and avoid taking risks. The reigning English champions’ next opponent is Everton, a team that is already safe and apparently has no realistic goals left: however, the Toffees are not giving anything away, as evidenced by the fact that since January 15, they have suffered only one defeat in the league, and that was in the derby against leaders Liverpool. The level has risen with the arrival of David Moyes, who is doing much better than his predecessor Sean Dyche: suffice it to say that in the last two games, Everton picked up four points against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, second and third in the table respectively. Moyes will be without the injured Mangala, Calvert-Lewin, and Lindstrom against City. The Cityzens have a much longer list of injured players. In addition to Haaland, Foden, Akanji, Aké, and Stones will also be missing. Guardiola is likely to start McAtee, who scored in the rout against Palace.
Odds comparison
Manchester City are priced at 1.90 to win on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.77 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.75 on Snai.
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Prediction
Everton, as in the first leg (which ended 1-1), could prove to be a tough nut to crack for a Manchester City side that is improving but still too inconsistent. However, it is difficult to imagine a slip-up from Guardiola’s men, who are obliged to win to stay in the top five. The Toffees, after all, have not beaten the Cityzens since 2017.
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Probable line-ups for Everton-Manchester City
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Brantwhaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucouré, Ndiaye; Broja.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, O’Reilly; Nico Gonzalez, Kovacic; McAtee, De Bruyne, Savinho; Marmoush.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2