Everton vs Manchester City

Goodison Park forms the backdrop for a lopsided Premier League contest between relegation-fighting Everton and title-bidding Manchester City.

Everton defied every expectation earlier this week as they thumped European-bidding Brighton 5-1 on the road to end an abysmal seven-game winless run (D4, L3) in the Premier League and move two points clear of the drop zone. But their top-flight credentials face another stern challenge in the form of a Man City side they have only defeated once in their last 19 league H2Hs (D5, L13). If a 1-1 draw in this season’s reverse fixture is anything to go by, this could be a keenly-contested encounter, though Everton’s run of one win in their last five home league games (D1, L3) doesn’t support this claim. However, Sean Dyche’s men cannot let their form woes knock them off their perch as they seek back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since October.

On the other hand, fatigue could be catching up with Man City following an intense 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in midweek Champions League action. But there’s no time to rest for Pep Guardiola’s men if they’re to win a third straight Premier League title for the first time in the club’s history on the back of a 13-game unbeaten league streak (W12, D1). With only three matchdays left, the ‘Citizens’ boast a one-point lead over second-placed Arsenal and have a game in hand. Inspired by their fifth ten-game winning Premier League run under Guardiola, the visitors head to Goodison in search of a sixth consecutive top-flight triumph at this stadium. Achieving that feat would see Man City become only the second team in history to beat Everton at Goodison six times in succession.