Manchester City take on the visitors Everton in the round 18 match of English Premier League. The match will be played on Thursday, December 26th at Etihad Stadium (Manchester).
Manchester City have long thrived under Pep Guardiola’s leadership, transforming from a wealthy club into a dominant force in English football. In 2023, Guardiola finally led the team to their first Champions League title. However, the current season has presented unexpected challenges, with even Guardiola admitting to sleepless nights. While their exit from the Carabao Cup was brushed off, their Champions League campaign has faltered. After collecting seven points in their first three matches, City added just one more, ending the year with a 0-2 loss to Juventus. In the Premier League, they led until mid-autumn but then suffered four consecutive defeats, including a crucial loss to Liverpool. Even after a commanding 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, they dropped points with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. The Manchester Derby saw a defensive error lead to a disappointing loss, while a match against Aston Villa ended in a deserved and significant defeat.
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Everton are gradually stabilizing their form. The Toffees narrowly avoided relegation two seasons ago, thanks to Sean Dyche’s timely appointment. In 2023/2024, despite being docked points for financial breaches, Dyche steered Everton clear of danger. The current season began with optimism fueled by new investors and the upcoming launch of their new stadium. However, a poor start, with four league losses and an early League Cup exit, dampened expectations. Dyche has since steadied the ship. After that poor run, Everton only lost to Southampton and Manchester United. The team has claimed crucial wins against relegation rivals like Crystal Palace, Ipswich, and Wolves. They’ve also managed valuable draws, including 0-0 results against Newcastle and Arsenal, and most recently, against Chelsea.
In their last 14 encounters, Everton managed only one draw, losing the other 13 matches. Manchester City remain clear favorites despite their current struggles. However, their recent performances suggest they are unlikely to dominate. Everton, under Dyche, are defensively solid and likely to aim for a goalless draw. While City remain formidable at the Etihad, their efficiency in front of goal has dipped recently, with fewer goals scored against resilient defenses. Sean Dyche’s sides are known for their defensive organization, and Everton will likely play with a deep block, aiming to frustrate City.
Prediction for the match: Under 3.5 scored goals.
