Manchester City vs Everton – Match Preview
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One thing that Everton manager Marco Silva will be wondering is if this is the best or the worst time in which to play defending champions Manchester City. Are Pep Guardiola’s men lacking in form or are they going to represent more of a wounded animal this Saturday?
The reason being of course is that City were handed their first defeat of the Premier League season last weekend at the hands of Chelsea, one that has subsequently seen them knocked off the top of the table.
Going into this weekend it is Liverpool who find themselves at the summit by just a single point, a scenario that could well change by the end of it though as Jurgen Klopp’s men square off against Manchester United on Sunday.
Ultimately though City know that they can only really rely on themselves especially as Liverpool are still unbeaten in the league this season and most importantly the defending champions need to return to winning ways this weekend.
City have faced some big tests since Pep Guardiola took charge of the club, but this is arguably one of the biggest. Just how will they react to the fact that they have seen their unbeaten record fall by wayside and the fact that they seem to be in a real title race this time around.
Last season they won the Premier League at an absolute canter, something that did not perhaps allow us to see what they are really made of. Therefore, this season could allow us to see how this side reacts when being pushed all the way.
Looking back to last Saturday they were arguably the better side against Chelsea but a failure to finish their chances, especially in the first half ultimately saw them punished by the West London outfit.
It was a rare off day for their attack but at the same time they are more than capable of putting their opposition to the sword, something that Everton will have to be wary of when they make the short trip to the Etihad.
The Toffees needed Lucas Digne to rescue a point at home to Watford and that result has seen them been overtaken by Manchester United in the race for sixth place, while they have also failed to win any of their last three league outings.
They will however take some comfort from the display that the recently carried out away at Chelsea, one that saw them earn a hard earned point after a goalless ninety minutes. That was almost the ideal defensive performance, a template they will look to use against City.
However, the hosts have a lot more firepower at their disposal and they will be looking to prove a point on Saturday, while also aiming to regain top spot in the Premier League and putting the pressure back on Liverpool.
Everton need to return to winning ways themselves but unfortunately for them this is not the weekend in which it will happen, as City bounce back in the best possible way and earn all three points in front of their own fans.
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