Manchester City vs Everton: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Gareth Barry was part of the Everton team which won 1-0 at Old Trafford last season (Getty)

Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry returns to the Etihad for the first time on Saturday evening as his Everton side take on Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

Barry, who also plied his trade in a central midfield berth at Aston Villa from 1998 to 2009, made 132 appearances for Manchester City, scoring six goals.

After a season on loan at the Toffees last year, the Hastings-born midfielder was released by City and joined Roberto Martinez’s side in July; consequently, he will be keen to prove a point against the host’s stellar midfield line-up.

Manchester City could find themselves nine points down on Chelsea by the time they start, if Chelsea can beat Newcastle, and will be desperate for a win to keep pace with the league leaders.

KICK OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Everton 2 (Barkley, Lukaku) Manchester City 3 (Dzeko 2, Aguero), Premier League, May 2014

Manchester City 3 (Negredo, Aguero, Howard og) Everton 1 (Lukaku), Premier League, October 2013

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

STATS…

Head to head record: 65 Manchester City wins, 43 draws, 66 Everton wins.

Manchester City have lost only twice at home in the league in 2014.

Manchester City have failed to keep a clean sheet against Everton in their last five encounters.

Everton have won 5 of their last 10 league matches at the Etihad.

ODDS…

Manchester City to win: 1.52

Everton to win: 7.2

Draw: 4.7

TV: Live on Sky Sports1 at 17:30, Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm