If only looking at the rankings on the table, many people will consider Everton an "easy" opponent for Man City. However, in the current context, coach Pep Guardiola has reason to have a headache.
Man City are currently leading the Premier League but are only 1 point ahead of Arsenal, any misstep at the moment could cost them dearly. They must exert all their strength to win, but the Man City coaching staff also need to calculate to preserve their strength for the second leg of the semi-final against Real Madrid on April 18. This is certainly a difficult problem for coach Pep Guardiola.
Everton are struggling in the relegation race, they will enter the field with nothing to lose. In the last two matches, Everton have won 4 points. They drew 1-1 with Leicester in the reverse fixture, before surprisingly destroying the "phenomenon" Brighton with a score of 5-1 right on the away field. Manager Sean Dyche has lifted the spirit of the Everton players, helping them become an unpredictable team at the moment.
Man City were held to a draw at home by Everton in the first leg.
The important points help Everton temporarily rise to a safe position (17th), 2 points above the red light group. This is not a safe distance, Everton needs to continue fighting with all their abilities to stay in the league. Certainly, facing an opponent who is being pushed into a corner, Man City will face many difficulties.
Notably, Everton are one of two Premier League teams to have taken points off Man City at the Etihad this season, which could give the Goodison Park side some confidence when the two teams meet again.
Everton have suffered a major blow as captain Seamus Coleman has been confirmed to be out for the rest of the season, while Andros Townsend, Dele Alli, Ben Godfrey and Ruben Vinagre are still nursing injuries.
For Man City, the only problem is how they will distribute their forces to preserve the best players' fitness for the important confrontation with Real Madrid in the middle of next week. Lesser-known names such as Kalvin Phillips, Rico Lewis or Sergio Gomez are all likely to be used.
Everton vs Man City predicted lineup
Everton: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Mina, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Garner, Gueye, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin.
Man City: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Lewis, Rodri; Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Man City
Ha An
Useful
Emotion
Creative
Unique
Wrath
Source
Comment (0)