Manchester City vs Everton preview, details, stats, team news and prediction

Manchester City will savour the chance to sit top of the Premier League for the first time since November when they host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on matchday 24 of the Premier League.

City’s 3-1 victory over the Brentford on Monday at the Gtech Stadium, ensured their ninth consecutive victory across all competitions and will hope to increase that tally to ten against the Toffees. The victory also moved Pep Guardiola’s side into second place with 49 points, as they look to close the gap on first-placed Liverpool who are leading with two points.

The timing of the clash with Everton implies that victory over the Toffees will propel City to the top of the league for the first time since November 2023. However, whether their stay at the top would be temporarily short-lived depends on the outcome of the match between Liverpool and Burnley at 3 pm.

The treble winners have turned their home into a formidable ground in recent seasons, as they have won 28 of the last 32 games they have played at the Etihad, a record that space since November 2022.

Despite suffering a rocky patch with defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal and Aston Villa, The Cityzens’ quest for a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title is well on the cards as they have picked up momentum, picking up four consecutive League victories since playing out a 2:2 draw with Crystal Palace.

For Everton, they make the unprecedented trip to Manchester, desperately needing a win, as they’ve only won once in their last ten matches.

They currently reside in the relegation zone and defeat to City could further dampen their survival hopes.

Regardless of their abysmal winning record this season, they have only lost once in their last six games across all competitions.

Despite going winless in their last four games away from Goodison Park, their overall away form this season have been impressive with only Arsenal, Liverpool and City the only sides to pick up more points away from home than the Toffees.

Sean Dyche’s side recently recorded a spirited 2:2 draw against an in-form Tottenham Hotspur side and will be hoping to defy the odds again at lunchtime on Sunday.

From their match stats this season, the Toffees should comfortably be in 12th position in the League standings after securing eight victories and drawing five games, but a 10-point deduction has seen them drop down the pecking order. Victory over City could put them ahead of Luton Town who are ahead with just a point albeit with a game in hand.

However, it would be a daunting task for Everton to end City’s 34-game unbeaten streak at home, even more daunting when you consider City’s nine consecutive victories across all competitions.

Dyche’s side could take inspiration from their impressive scoring streak away from home, where they have scored ten goals in 14 away games this season. If they could manage to take the lead at the Etihad, then we’re set for what would be a blockbuster ending to the game.

Manchester City v Everton match details 

Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Location: Manchester, England

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Kick-off time: 12:30 pm GMT, 07:30 ET, 04:30 PT

Referee: John Brooks

Assistant referees: Lee Betts, Akil Howson

Fourth official: Rebecca Welch

VAR: Michael Oliver

Tickets: Supporters can buy Manchester City vs Everton tickets through the official club websites. Alternatively, fans can use reputable tickets resellers online.

Match stats and head-to-head 

• Everton have not recorded any victory on the road in their last six Premier League games.

• Erling Haaland has netted six goals in his last eight Premier League games at the Etihad.

• The only times City have failed to beat Everton in the past 14 encounters are in the 4:0 defeat in December 2017, a 1:1 draw in August 2017 and another 1:1 draw in December 2022.

• City have netted at least three goals in seven of their past nine matches in this fixture

• City’s proficiency in front of goal have been remarkable, but they have been leaky in defence, conceding in five of their previous six League matches.

• Guardiola’s side are recording an average of 6.75 shots on target per game this season, the second-most in the Premier League.

• City have dominated this encounter, securing victories in 12 of their last 14 games against the Toffees in all competitions. The last time City lost this fixture was in January 2017 when they lost 4-0.

• Everton have recorded only two clean sheets in their last 20 matches against City

• The Toffees have scored in ten of their last 14 away league games.

Team news

Erling Haaland made his first League start against Brentford after being away for nearly two months. The 23-year-old will be looking to add to his 14-goal tally, and his first since returning from injury.

Kevin De Bruyne now looks to have shaken off his injury concerns after featuring against Brentford. John Stones and Manuel Akanji are available for selection after making the bench last Monday with City now having a full slate of fit players.

For the Toffees, Arnaut Danjuma and Amadou Onana both missed out on their last match against Tottenham due to ankle and calf issues respectively.

Dyche will hope to have both ready to face City pending a late fitness test.

Dele Alli, André Gomes and Abdoulaye Doucoure remain long-term absentees.

Abdoulaye Doucoure remains a doubt after playing just once in the past six weeks due to two separate hamstring injuries.

Predicted starting line-up 

Manchester City predicted starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Nunes; Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland

Everton predicted starting lineup: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Young, Gueye, Garner, McNeil; Harrison; Calvert-Lewin

Prediction

The Cityzens rallied back from a goal to record an emphatic 3:1 victory over Brentford. The colossal individual qualities at City’s disposal were once again on showcase as Phil Foden went home with the match ball after netting a hat trick.

While there are traits that Everton are capable of causing problems to City’s leaky defence, individual qualities might once again be the decider in this ride and the Toffees will hope this is not the match where Haaland and De Bruyne rediscovers their touch and connection.