City meet Everton, the closest thing Guardiola has to a nemesis

Manchester City against Everton kicks off match day 17 on Saturday lunchtime with the hosts looking to the reclaim top spot they conceded to Everton’s Merseyside rivals Liverpool last time out. 

The champions’ unbeaten start came to a sudden halt last weekend at Chelsea and will be hoping to bounce back with victory in front of their own fans at the Etihad. They did manage to win their Champions League fixture at home on Wednesday despite falling behind, having the brilliance of young German Leroy Sane to thank for a 2-1 victory to see them through as group winners.

“Marco Silva’s side have also scored seven goals against the blue side of Manchester, the most of any side since Guardiola arrived at the club.”

Everton are coming into the game after a mediocre 2-2 draw at home with Watford and have failed to win against any side in the top eight this season, although they do boast an impressive record against Pep Guardiola’s City side.

The Toffees have beaten the Citizens 18 out of the 42 meetings in the Premier League between these sides, with 15 City gaining wins and nine draws. Impressively, Everton also match their blue counterparts in the last five meetings between the two outfits, each winning one and sharing the spoils in the other three. Everton remained unbeaten in four before a 3-1 defeat at Goodison Park in March, drawing three successive games at the Etihad.

Marco Silva’s side have also scored seven goals against the blue side of Manchester, the most of any side since Guardiola arrived at the club. However, at the other end of the field, Everton will have to stop Raheem Sterling, who has involvements in 26 goals in 21 PL home matches (17 goals and nine assists).

City are looking to top the table once again although they already lead the league’s injury table with nine players potentially absent for Saturday’s game. Claudio Bravo (achilles), Eliaquim Mangala (knee), Benjamin Mendy (knee), Danilo (knock) and David Silva (hamstring) are all out for most of the festive period whilst it appears the game may come too soon for midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne (knee ligaments). 

However, Guardiola will be hopeful of having three key players back fit to face Everton. England international John Stones could be back to face his former club whilst defensive midfielder Fernandinho should also feature. The most pivotal of all could be the return of City’s all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguerö, who had been missing with a groin injury. 

Portuguese Silva comes head to head with the Catalan Guardiola in this Iberian managerial clash but has far fewer selection headaches than the City boss, Idrissa Gueye his only doubt through a groin strain. 

Prediction: Everton’s record of three straight draws at the Etihad is to be admired but with City determined to make the most of their opportunity to return to the summit of the Premier League table, Pep’s side should take all three points.

Manchester City 2 Everton 1