Uncompromising Everton come to town ready to rumble for a fixture in which they traditionally tend go up a gear…
Vital Quotes:
Roberto Mancini:
‘Everton is always difficult for us, United, Chelsea and all the top teams. Whenever they play top sides they play very well. They always give us problems. You only beat them if you play a fantastic game because they always give 100%. They are a strong team with a good mentality.’
David Moyes:
‘The players put in a big effort against Arsenal and we know we need another big effort against Manchester City. By City’s standards, they haven’t been playing as well as they can but they are unbeaten. We’ve done well when we’ve played them previously and we’ll try and do it again.’
Manchester City Team News:
OUT:
Gael Clichy
Jack Rodwell
Micah Richards
John Guidetti
James Milner
Player to watch: Javi Garcia
IF Garcia starts against Everton, and it’s a big IF following his appalling display at Wigan, then the Spaniard must up his game considerably. He has been brought in to mirror the capability of Yaya Toure in readiness for the Ivorian giant’s imminent African Cup of Nations absence but on the evidence he’s delivered so far, he’s nowhere near got the presence required. His mardarsed strop straight down the tunnel after being subbed at Wigan was as unacceptable as his lack of urgency on the park.
Everton Team News:
OUT:
Victor Anichebe
Seamus Coleman
Phil Neville
LATE FITNESS TEST:
Kevin Mirallas
Leighton Baines
Player to watch: Marouane Fellaini
Back from suspension and immediately back in amongst it as Arsenal found to their cost this week. He’s lethal in the air and will punish any midfield sloppiness. City’s midfielders cannot afford this fella any space and particularly when defending set pieces, The Blues will need to be on their guard.
Match Facts & Stats
THE FACTS:
The Toffees have only managed 1 win from their last 8 Premier League matches. 6 were draws.
Everton and Stoke have committed more fouls in the league so far this season than any other club.
City are the first team in Premier League history to avoid defeat in their opening 14 games for 2 successive seasons.
With 5, The Citizens have scored more goals from outside the box than any other team in the Premier League in this campaign. City’s 142 attempts on goal outstrip also outstrip the rest of the top flight.
In 15 Premier League matches in Manchester between City and Everton there has never been a draw.
Head To Head
League: 60 Everton Wins, 39 Draws, 59 City Wins
League Cup: 1 Everton Win, 1 City Win
FA Cup: 4 Everton Wins, 3 Draws, 3 City Wins
Total: 65 Everton Wins, 42 Draws, 63 City Wins
This Could Be The Last Time:
Tu 31Jan 2012 Everton 1 – 0 Man City
Sa 24Sep 2011 Man City 2 – 0 Everton
Sa 07May 2011 Everton 2 – 1 Man City
Mo 20Dec 2010 Man City 1 – 2 Everton
Betting: City 8/15 Draw 3 Everton 11/2 Racing Post Soccerbase
TV Coverage: BBC Match of The Day Highlights
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CLASSIC CITY: Manchester City v Everton, Apr 3rd 1971
Ref Watch:
Lee Probert from Gloucestershire -Last Season: Tu 29Nov 2011 Arsenal 0 – 1 Man City, Su 22Apr 2012 Wolves 0 – 2 Man City -This Season: Sa 06Oct 2012 Man City 3 – 0 Sunderland – 2011/12: 38 Games, 110 Yellows, 9 Reds -2012/2013: 13 Games, 35 Yellows, 1 Red.
Match Prediction:
Johnny On The Spot: So begins a pivotal 9 days in the season. Strap yourselves in for a rough ride. This is likely to be a bruising encounter as an uncompromising Everton are sure to give the unbeaten champions no quarter. Yet teams don’t become champions without having the ability to ‘mix it’ and The Citizens carry physicality in spades. Two days later, City fly to Dortmund for a severe examination and a final curtain in this season’s Champions League. Mancio’s team selection is sure to bear that fixture in mind, let alone yet another high stakes Manchester derby to follow next Sunday. Despite the wealth of talent at City’s disposal, I’m factoring Everton’s resilience and the champions current tendency to try to stroll the ball in into my prediction. It’s not far off too close to call but I expect home advantage and the greater squad resources to tell. City 2 Everton 1
Next Fixtures:
all times East Manchester
Tu 04Dec 19h45 B Dortmund, Signal Iduna Park, CL
Su 09Dec 13h30 The rags, The Etihad, PL
Sa 15Dec 12h45 Newcastle, St James’ Park, PL
Sa 22Dec 15h00 Reading, The Etihad, PL
We 26Dec 15h00 Sunderland, Stadium of Light, PL
Sa 29Dec 15h00 Norwich, Carrow Road, PL