EPL Betting Preview: Everton vs Manchester City

December 27, 2023

Everton welcome newly crowned world champions Manchester City at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Wednesday night, 27 December 2023.

Manchester City claimed a 3-0 victory at Goodison Park in May with two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and one from Erling Haaland. However, Everton held City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad on New Year's Eve last year.

All in all, Everton are looking for their first win against Manchester City since January 2017, when Ronald Koeman's Toffees earned a 4-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Everton Betting Preview (+450 at MyBookie)

The Toffees suffered a battling 2-1 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur last time out but many would agree that Sean Dyche's men deserved to take something from the game.

The manner of their defeat was impressive as Everton managed to both outshoot and generate a higher xG figure than Spurs as Sean Dyche wasn't hesitant to label his side’s display “outstanding”.

The 2-1 defeat at Tottenham ended Everton's four-game winning streak in the Premier League, but Sean Dyche's men are now aiming to claim a third consecutive home win in the competition for the first time since a run of four between May and September 2021.

Abdoulaye Doucoure is expected to miss Everton’s clash with Manchester City while there is also a concern over fellow midfielder Idrissa Gueye. The Influential Malian midfielder was withdrawn at the break of Everton's 2-0 win at Burnley earlier this month (due to a tight hamstring) and then missed the League Cup game with Fulham as well as the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Doucoure's loss arguably deprives Everton of their most effective link between midfield and attack and his intense pressing has been key to their progress under Sean Dyche this campaign.

With six goals in 17 top-flight appearances for Everton, Doucoure is the club's top scorer and his absence would be a huge blow but Sean Dyche can still take some comfort from the promising return to action of Andre Gomes.

The Portuguese midfielder replaced the injured Gueye midway through the first-half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and eventually scored his first goal of the season in his first appearance of a season so far ruined by injuries.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin will hope to finally end his goal drought. The 26-year-old forward is yet to score since he netted the winner in Everton's 1-0 win at West Ham United two months ago (late-October) but his presence is still vital for Sean Dyche's setup.

Elsewhere, Dele Alli is not expected to be available as he continues his efforts to overcome an injury, while veterans Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman will be assessed, so Nathan Patterson is set to continue at right-back.

Manchester City Betting Preview (-170 at MyBookie)

Unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Everton in all competitions, The Cityzens travel to Merseyside after a successful trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

Pep Guardiola's treble-winners added another trophy when they clinched the Club World Cup last week and are now aiming to rekindle their Premier League title-defense when they make the trip to Merseyside.

Indeed, Manchester City return on home soil after conquering the FIFA Club World Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense on Friday.

Pep Guardiola's side sit fifth in the Premier League table, eight points behind current leaders Liverpool but with two games in hand. This means that City need a victory at Goodison Park on Wednesday night to regain their top-four spot at the expense of Tottenham, who currently have 36 points through 18 matches.

Kevin De Bruyne resumed training as the Belgian playmaker is eager to make his first appearance since he sustained a nasty injury during Man City's opening day 3-0 win at Burnley.

Summer arrival Jeremy Doku and top goalscorer Erling Haaland are also doubts for Manchester City, and we highly doubt that Pep Guardiola will risk any of his players if they are not fully fit.

If Haaland is not ready to feature, Julian Alvarez will lead the line for Manchester City, with Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden behind him.

Possible Starting Lineups of Everton and Manchester City

Everton: Jordan Pickford - Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko - Jack Harrison, Amadou Onana, Andre Gomes, James Garner, Dwight McNeil - Dominic Calvert-Lewin. (4-5-1)

Manchester City: Ederson - Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol - Mateo Kovacic, Rodrigo - Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden - Julian Alvarez. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Even though they have won just one of their last six Premier League matches (1-4-1 record), Manchester City have won their last seven trips to Goodison Park in all competitions, scoring three goals in four of them.

All in all, Pep Guardiola's side have actually remained dangerous in attack throughout their recent run, but their defense has been the area of concern. City are without a clean sheet in seven league games - since a 3-0 win at bitter rivals Manchester United on 29 October.

Galvanized by the home crowd, Sean Dyche's men will hope to take advantage from City's poor domestic form before Christmas. That’s the first time they’ve returned just one top-flight victory in six matches since March 2016 and Wednesday’s game could be a close contest.

Spooky Express Free Play: Both teams to score - Yes -125 at MyBookie for 7/10 Units

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