Everton vs Manchester City Preview

Without doubt, this match against Everton is the biggest fixture of Manchester City’s league season so far. After Liverpool looked to be in the title driving seat just a few days ago, City now know that if they win their remaining three games, nothing can stop them from reclaiming the Premier League title which they relinquished last season. And this fixture against an Everton team that have an excellent record on their home turf, and who have seen off some of the Premier League’s best teams at Goodison Park, is by far the hardest of their three remaining matches.

Everton have been an absolutely formidable team at Goodison this season, beating Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United already, as well as only being denied a victory over Liverpool by a late Daniel Sturridge equaliser. But now their neighbours Liverpool will be desperately hoping that Roberto Martinez’s team can do them a favour and at least hold City to a draw. Should the away side fail to come away with three points here, then the title is back on for Liverpool. City’s superior goal difference dictates that if both teams win their remaining games the title will head to Manchester.

Everton will miss Gareth Barry for this fixture, who is on loan from City. This could hurt Everton, although they have coped well without him previously. And City are also missing a key performer in midfield, as David Silva is unlikely to make the cut for this one, the Spaniard without doubt one of the very best players in the Premier League (arguably second only to Liverpool’s Luis Suarez).

Thus, both of these teams will have a slightly weakened midfield, and it’s hard to say which team will miss their absentee more. Barry would seem to be a crucial holding figure for Everton, on the other hand they have more ready replacements than City do for Silva. The Spaniard has a unique influence over City, controlling the ball and games for them on a regular basis, and being without him will be a severe blow to their hopes of regaining their league title.

So the absence of Barry and Silva could cancel each other out. Elsewhere, City look the stronger of the two sides, and have recovered from early difficulties this season with away games to forge a very strong away record as the season has progressed. Nonetheless, Everton take some beating on their home patch, winning thirteen matches this season, while none of the top ten have come away with a victory.

Everton have in fact won more games on their home turf than anyone in the division other than Chelsea, and I can see them putting a spanner in City’s works and causing another twist in the title race. The draw is particularly well priced here, and when two good passing teams meet such a result is always possible. The need for both teams to win the game could make this a high scoring game, so I really see this one being an entertaining game for neutrals, and an agonising one for supporters of both teams.

Safe Bet – Draw
Value Bet – Everton 2 – 2 Manchester City

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30/04/2014     © Frixo 2026