Manchester City will take on Everton on Boxing Day, as they seek to arrest a worrying decline and reclaim their formidable reputation. Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM at the Etihad Stadium, where the stakes couldn't be higher for both clubs.
City, typically known for their prowess on the pitch, find themselves at a crossroads, having lost nine out of their last twelve matches. This current slump is shocking, especially for a club fresh off winning four consecutive league titles and the UEFA Champions League. The once-mighty Citizens now sit seventh in the Premier League, 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Their only victory since the end of October came against Nottingham Forest, and following last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, the pressure is mounting on manager Pep Guardiola to turn things around.
"I have to do Better. I wasn't good enough recently and didn't make enough of my chances," said City’s star striker Erling Haaland, reflecting on his declining form. The Norwegian forward has only found the net once in his last six league outings, marking the first significant dip since his arrival at the club. Guardiola, too, has been under scrutiny, as he stated, "If you have problems in defense or midfield, it's down to everyone, the whole team, not just one player."
Meanwhile, Everton will be heading to the Etihad with hopes of taking advantage of City’s missteps. Managed by Sean Dyche, the Toffees have recently shown signs of revival, having drawn with high-flying teams like Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as annihilated relegation rivals Wolves with a 4-0 victory. Everton's recent form has helped them stay above the relegation zone, and they aim to bolster their position with another strong performance.
Historically, the match is also significant; this will be the second consecutive year these teams meet on Boxing Day. Last year, at home, Manchester City turned around a 1-0 halftime deficit to deliver three goals against the Toffees. The head-to-head record favors City significantly, with 54 previous meetings resulting in 26 wins for City compared to 18 for Everton and 10 matches ending in draws. Everton's last triumph was back in 2017 when they won 4-0.
The lineups released on the day of the match feature key players for both sides. City will see Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo (c), Savinho, Foden, Doku, and Haaland starting. On the opposite side, Everton's lineup includes Pickford, Coleman (c), Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gana, Doucore, Ndiaye, Harrison, and Calvert-Lewin. Dyche is expected to leverage his squad depth to face City, especially with Coleman returning after suspension.
Despite City’s struggles, their performance at home on Boxing Day has been exemplary; they boast seven wins from their last seven home fixtures played on this festive occasion, showcasing their resilience. On the other hand, Everton is on solid ground, having remained unbeaten over their last eight Boxing Day away matches.
The anticipation surrounding this match is palpable, as both teams are desperate for points under unique pressures. For City, it’s about maintaining Premier League status among Europe’s elite, with Guardiola admitting, "We are at risk, of course we are. Definitely." For Everton, every point is something to hold against the lurking threat of relegation, as they also hope to gain momentum from their previous result.
Fans will be eagerly watching how the match pans out and whether Haaland can reclaim his goal-scoring touch, with Guardiola stating, "We need to use him [Haaland]better." The blend of high expectations and current disappointments promises to create tension as they take the pitch at the Etihad Stadium.
With everything on the line, this Boxing Day clash is not just another fixture; it’s about redemption, survival, and the fight to find form as we inch closer to the new year.