EPL: Everton v Manchester City Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: Wednesday 6th February 2019 (Kick-off 8:45 PM CET). 

After losing 2-1 at Newcastle United to remain 4 points behind leaders Liverpool who had a game in hand, it would have been very difficult to imagine a situation where Manchester City can once again top the table heading into the second week in February.

The chance has come thanks to Liverpool being held to 1-1 draws in consecutive games against Leicester City and West Ham United, while Manchester City beat Arsenal and now face Everton in a game that has been brought forward from the end of the month.

Manchester City have the quality to win here, but I do think the players need to just improve on their consistency within games at the moment. Too many times I have seen Manchester City coasting with a one goal lead and allowing teams to hang around and cause problems. Blown leads in losses to Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Newcastle United is indicative of the sometimes complacent attitude of the players, but Pep Guardiola is doing his best to shift them out of that mode.

Away from home it can be particularly devastating to any title bid and Guardiola has cut a frustrated figure at times when his team are perhaps not putting games to bed when they should. The Spaniard certainly won't want Everton hanging around considering the threat the home team will pose in the final third, but confidence is not in a great place.

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In an ideal world Marco Silva would not be playing Manchester City during this poor patch of form which has seen Everton lose 7 of their last 10 games in all competitions and also 3 of their last 4 at Goodison Park in the Premier League. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves have had big wins here while scoring at least three goals each time and Everton don't look to have a balanced system between attack and defence at this time.

In the last two between these clubs Manchester City have won both by the same 3-1 scoreline and that looks a real player here. Asking a team to win by two or more goals away from home is always a difficult situation, but Manchester City should be inspired by being able to move back to top of the Premier League table and may be catching Everton at the right time.   

 

Prediction: Manchester City -1.5 AH