Manchester City vs. Everton: EPL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Stay updated with the latest match preview, odds, and predictions for the upcoming Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Everton. Get all the information you need before placing your bets on this exciting EPL match.

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Daniel A.
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Manchester City vs. Everton: EPL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Manchester City vs. Everton: EPL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Traveling only down the M62, Everton will play reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day in the first Premier League match after Christmas.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have fallen so far this season—out of the championship hunt and on a winless streak of 12 games—that their collapse has become the most talked-about story in Europe.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Losing 2-1 at Aston Villa last weekend, the reigning champions had another disheartening day, significantly lowering their position in the league and prolonging their incredible streak of bad luck.

After eight games, they have only managed four points, which is the worst record in the Premier League. As a consequence, they will be lying outside the top six by Christmas, behind teams like Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.

Despite overcoming such deficits in the past, they seem to have already lost the championship since they are 12 points behind Liverpool and have played more games.

While playing first on Boxing Day does provide them a temporary opportunity to climb the standings, City haven't lost consecutive home league games in over four years, and they won't be able to replicate that record in their next fixtures.

Despite facing tough opponents recently, City has a great chance to get back on track with a six-game stretch that includes Everton, Leicester City, West Ham United, Salford City, Brentford, and Ipswich Town in all competitions.

This is especially true when it comes to Everton; since City last had a four-game losing streak at home in 2008–2010, the Toffees have won their last thirteen matches in a row.

Also, City have won all seven of their home matches played on Boxing Day since they were promoted back to the top division in the early 2000s. However, Everton came out on top the only previous time these two teams faced on this day in the Premier League in 2004.

Given that Everton have only managed a single victory in their past 22 encounters against Manchester City, with losses in 12 of their last 13 games, it will be quite an undertaking to repeat this feat.

On the other hand, Everton has an outstanding record on Boxing Day, having won all eight of their away games played on this day since 2005. Leicester were beaten in 2016 when Everton met the defending champions on December 26.

Also riding high on confidence, the visitors will be manager Sean Dyche, who was under criticism after a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United less than a month ago but has since had an impressive run of successes.

After that, Everton held Arsenal and Chelsea to scoreless draws, which greatly benefited their fierce rivals Liverpool in the championship chase. They then inflicted the same scoreline on Wolves.

The blue half of Merseyside is in the happiest mood it has been in a while, what with the club's recent takeover by the Friedkin Group and the delivery of their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

Thanks to their defense, Everton are now four points above the relegation zone, which is something many supporters would have welcomed before a dangerous December schedule.

After recording their sixth scoreless draw of the season against Chelsea, the Toffees currently boast the most clean sheets among Europe's top five leagues since the beginning of October (7).

Even if only Southampton have a poorer offensive record than Dyche's team (14 scored), their attack is still a major worry. Jack Harrison is the latest to waste a big chance over the weekend.

Manchester City x Everton Team News

John Stones, a former Everton player, was substituted off for Man City at Villa Park with a sore foot, while Ederson is doubtful with an illness.

Additionally, Matheus Nunes was unable to participate due to an injury; however, with the return of players like Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake to City's lineup, Nunes' talents may be less often needed.

Also, Oscar Bobb won't be back until February due to a muscle injury, Rodri will miss most of the season due to an ACL rupture, and Ruben Dias will be out for a few weeks after that.

Despite being scoreless in his past 12 games, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is once again the favorite to start for Everton, while Armando Broja will be allowed to play after being ineligible to face parent club Chelsea last weekend.

With Ashley Young serving a five-game suspension for a caution he received against Chelsea, club captain Seamus Coleman will likely start in Young's place and have his first start of the season after suffering many injuries.

Dwight McNeil is still questionable after failing a late fitness test in the days leading up to Sunday's match; as a result, Everton may start with no changes at right back, barring any forced substitutions.

Our Predictions

Manchester City to win & over 2.5 goals @ 1.73 on Sky247.ng

Even though City's performance as of late has been outstanding, they still have a string of favorable matches coming up, beginning with this one against a team that has had very little success away from the Etihad in the last few years.

Everton have only managed one Premier League away victory in the last year, and that was against Ipswich. It is very improbable that they will be able to break their almost fifteen-year winless streak at the Etihad Stadium.

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