Manchester City’s struggles this season have been one of the biggest surprises in European football. Pep Guardiola’s team, reigning champions, are out of the title race after a dismal run of form, winning just once in their last 12 matches.
Their latest setback, a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, has left them sitting outside the top six at Christmas, behind unexpected teams like Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. With just four points from their last eight games, City are enduring their worst stretch in years and trail Liverpool by a daunting 12 points, having played one game more.
However, Boxing Day gives City a chance to regroup. They haven’t lost consecutive home league games in nearly four years, and their upcoming fixtures—against Everton, Leicester City, West Ham, Salford City, Brentford, and Ipswich—offer a favorable path to recover their form. Everton, in particular, have struggled at the Etihad, where they haven’t won in 13 visits, a streak dating back to 2010.
City have a strong record on Boxing Day too, winning all seven of their home matches on this date since their promotion to the Premier League in the early 2000s. Yet, the only previous Boxing Day meeting between these two teams ended in a 2004 win for Everton. Pulling off another upset this year will be a tall order, as the Toffees have beaten City just once in their last 22 encounters, losing 12 of the last 13.
Still, Everton arrive in good spirits. Under Sean Dyche, they’ve had an excellent run of results, easing relegation fears. After a 4-0 loss to Manchester United in November, Everton bounced back with a dominant 4-0 win over Wolves and goalless draws against Arsenal and Chelsea. Those performances helped their bitter rivals Liverpool in the title race and lifted Everton four points clear of the relegation zone.
Adding to the optimism, Everton’s recent takeover by the Friedkin Group and the completion of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock have buoyed the club. Dyche’s team has also been solid defensively, keeping three consecutive clean sheets and recording seven since October—the most in Europe’s top-five leagues during that time. However, scoring remains a major issue; only Southampton has scored fewer goals than Everton’s 14 this season.
While Everton have proven resilient, they’ll need a near-perfect performance to take anything from City, who are determined to end their slump and reassert themselves in the Premier League.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Manchester City might be without former Everton player John Stones, who was forced off at Villa Park due to foot discomfort. Goalkeeper Ederson is also a doubt as he recovers from illness.Matheus Nunes missed the Villa match with a knock, but with players like Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake returning to action, his absence might not be as keenly felt. On the injury front, Ruben Dias is sidelined for a couple of weeks with a muscle problem, Oscar Bobb isn’t expected back until February, and Rodri remains a long-term absentee following his ACL injury.
For Everton, Armando Broja is available again after sitting out against parent club Chelsea last weekend, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still the likely starter upfront, despite enduring a 12-game goal drought.
Ashley Young is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Chelsea. This opens the door for club captain Seamus Coleman to make a rare start, following a season hampered by injuries. Dwight McNeil, who missed Sunday’s match after failing a late fitness test, remains a doubt. If he’s unavailable, Everton are expected to stick with the same lineup apart from the change at right-back.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City possible starting lineup:Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester City 4-1 Everton
Over the past year, Everton have managed just one Premier League away win, and that was against Ipswich. Breaking their nearly 15-year winless streak at the Etihad seems like a long shot this time around.
