Everton vs Manchester City prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-12-26 20:15.
[p]Everton lost their first game in five Premier League (PL) matches (W4) away at Tottenham on Saturday, but the manner of the 2-1 defeat meant few in the Toffeesâ camp would have been left too despondent. Manager Sean Dyche actually labelled the display âoutstandingâ as his side managed to both outshoot and generate a higher xG figure than their hosts. Yet, they now have the unenviable task of taking on newly crowned world champions Manchester City to try and bounce back.[/p]
[p]While few sides boast a strong record against Pep Guardiolaâs men, Everton’s is particularly poor with the visitors having left Goodison Park victorious in each of their last six PL trips. Theyâve scored at least three goals in four of those games, but thatâs been a rarity this season with Dycheâs men – chasing a third successive PL home win for the first time since a run of four in September 2021 – having conceded over 2.5 goals just twice. [/p]
[p]Cityâs Club World Cup (CWC) success should see them head to Merseyside with sky-high confidence, although their domestic form before the tournament was rather patchy with just one win from their last six PL matches (D4, L1). Thatâs the first time theyâve returned just one league win in six games since March 2016, and means they come into the round six points from the summit of the PL table, albeit having played one game less. [/p]
[p]The visitors have remained lethal in attack throughout their disappointing recent run, with their defence subsequently being the area of concern. City are without a clean sheet in seven PL matches and have managed to secure a shutout just twice on the road all league season (W5, D1, L3). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Returning from injury as a substitute against Spurs to make his first league appearance this season, Everton midfielder AndrĂ© Gomes ended a run of 71 games without a PL goal. Julian Ălvarez, who grabbed a brace in the CWC final, has registered an assist in two of Cityâs last three away PL matches. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Dyche has lost each of his last nine H2H PL meetings with Guardiola by an aggregate scoreline of 29-1.[/p]