Premier League: Manchester City v Everton match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League game at the Etihad

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has come under criticism this season (GETTY IMAGES)

After being unravelled by Bayern Munich in the Champions League this week, things don’t get much easier for Manchester City who face the visit of Everton who are fourth and the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League.

Despite their 3-1 defeat at home to the European Champions, Pellegrini can take encouragement from his side’s home form in the league where they have been imperious, scoring ten goals in three matches and conceding only one. They will hope to bounce back from their Champions League humbling and maintain their 100% record at the Etihad. Much of their success has been down to Yaya Toure who, although he did not get a sight of goal on Wednesday, is City’s top scorer in the league with four goals.

Roberto Martinez’s Everton side will not make it easy for City and aim to inflict a second home defeat for Man City in four days. There is no question the side has the quality to cause the best teams problems demonstrated already this season by an impressive win over Chelsea. The threat they pose has been enhanced by the addition of on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who as well as being strong and powerful enough to hold off the best defenders can also pick a pass to unlock defences.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Everton 2 (Osman, Jelavic) Manchester City 0, Premier League, March 2013.

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

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

STATS…

Man City have the most potent attack in the league - top-scoring with 14 goals so far this season.

Everton have won six of their last nine matches against Manchester City losing only once.

Man City have scored the most goals from set pieces this season with five.

After drawing their first three league games Everton have won three matches in a row beating Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle.

ODDS…

Manchester City to win: 1.67

Everton to win: 4.2

Draw: 6.0

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 12.45pm and highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.