Premier League: Everton v Manchester City match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Goodison Park

After exiting the pitch to an echo of boos last Saturday, the home side will be looking to bounce back from their FA cup defeat to Wigan. But with City seemingly back on form and pushing to close the gap at the top, Everton will need to call for a pitch-perfect performance if they are to keep the champions at bay.

Roberto Mancini’s side can boast four consecutive clean sheets with 12 goals in all competitions, but will have to tread carefully if they are to end an uninspiring run at Goodison. The Toffees have won six of the last eight games against City at home, a place they have suffered only one league defeat all season.

Just two points behind 5 place Arsenal, Everton will be hoping for a win to help them bridge the gap and keep them firmly in contention for a spot in Europe. But with only one win from five in all competitions, Moyes will need his men to step up to the plate if he is to keep the doubters quiet.

 

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12:45pm

 

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

City 1 (Tevez) Everton 1 (Fellaini), Premier League, December 2012

Everton 1 (Gibson) City 0, Premier League, January 2012

City 2 (Balotelli, Milner) Everton 0, Premier League, September 2011

 

STATS…

Everton will reach 600 goals scored at home in the Premier League if they put two through the posts

If named in the starting line-up, Leon Osman will reach 300 starts for the club in all competitions

The highest ever scoring match between the two was during the 1906/1907 season when Everton won 9-1 at home

City haven’t won at Goodison since April 2009

It has been 360 minutes since City last conceded

 

ODDS…

Everton to win: 4

Man City to win: 2.08

Draw: 3.65

 

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

15 September 1928: Despite missing their train and having to change in taxis, Manchester City came away from Goodison Park celebrating a 6-2 victory. Five of the goals were scored by Tommy Johnson, who went on to sign for the Toffees in 1930 and was part of their title winning campaign of 1931/32.

 

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 12:45pm, highlights on Match of the Day, BBC1, 10:30pm.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Back Spain to shut out Tahiti

The spread betting firms are very slow about pricing up this game and you can understand why. All th...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Look To The Lady In The Prince Of Wales

The Prince of Wales Stakes today is regarded by many as the No1 race of the Royal Ascot meeting and ...

by Gareth Purnell

iBet: Favourites have a good record in the Coventry stakes

Today’s St James Palace looks a cracker and there has been sustained money for Dawn Approach since t...

by Gareth Purnell

       
 

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over