Manchester City is gearing up for a pivotal clash against Everton on December 26, 2024, as both teams look to recover from disappointing performances earlier this season. Scheduled for 2:30 PM Cairo time (3:30 PM Saudi time) at the Etihad Stadium, this matchup has significant ramifications for both clubs, currently struggling to find their footing in the Premier League.
Currently, Manchester City sits at seventh place with 27 points after 17 matches. Despite their impressive roster and history of dominance, the squad has lost six of their matches, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. Recently, Pep Guardiola's side suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, highlighting their need for improvement. "We have many problems for many reasons, and the objective is to change things," Guardiola remarked, pointing to the team's underwhelming form.
On the flip side, Everton is languishing at 15th place, accumulating just 16 points from 16 matches. They too have endured six losses, leaving both clubs searching for momentum. Despite their struggles, the Toffees managed to squeeze out a goalless draw against Chelsea last week, offering some glimmer of hope. "Everton has only won once in the last 22 matches against Manchester City," noted commentators, underlining the uphill battle they face.
Historically, Manchester City enjoys the upper hand against Everton, having secured victory 81 times out of 197 encounters with the Toffees. Much of this dominance has manifested recently, with City going unbeaten against Everton across their last 13 league meetings. Nevertheless, current circumstances could favor Everton, as both teams grapple with inconsistencies and injuries.
Guardiola divulged the extent of his squad's challenges, noting, "We cannot think beyond the next match." This urgency reflects on his team’s preparation leading up to this decisive game. Meanwhile, Everton's manager Sean Dyche aims to leverage their defensive solidity shown against top-tier opponents like Arsenal and Chelsea to make strides against City.
The recent Premier League rankings reveal the tense competition, with City trailing leaders Liverpool by 11 points. Everton’s poor performance has seen them stagnate, unable to pull far enough away from relegation concerns, putting additional pressure on Dyche to produce results.
Formations may see City fielding Ederson; Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, and Kyle Walker on defense; Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne anchoring the midfield; and Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku as the attacking trio. On the other hand, Everton could align with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, supported defensively by Seamus Coleman and others, sandwiched between midfielders and forwards like Doucouré and Calvert-Lewin aiming to score goals.
Fans can catch all of the action live on beIN Sports, with Hafez Draji providing commentary throughout the match. With so much at stake, this encounter is set to be a thrilling chapter not just for the clubs involved, but also for fans around the globe.
