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Everton and Manchester City are set to go head to head at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon in a crucial game at both ends of the Premier League table. The home side will be going into the game full of renewed confidence after their best performance of the season last time out. The Toffees dismantled an excellent Brighton team away from home and ran out 5-1 winners to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
Sean Dyche’s men saw their two-point gap over Leeds reduced to just one yesterday when the Whites drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at Elland Road. However, a win for Everton today would give them a significant four-point gap of the drop zone with just two games to play.
It’s also a big game for Manchester City who need eight points from their final four games to be crowned Premier League champions for the third successive year. The Blues are on a ten-game winning streak in the league but face a relatively tricky run-in with just one home game left. If they can get three points today against a desperate and fired-up Everton then they would have one hand on the trophy.
The match is set to kick off at 14:00 UK time and viewers will be able to watch it on SkySports Premier League and SkySports Main Event.
Everton Team News: Dyche to go unchanged after Brighton performance
Considering how well Everton played last week at the Amex Stadium, it would be a huge surprise if Dyche didn’t field the exact same starting eleven on Sunday afternoon. The Toffees have no new injury concerns and none of the players who missed last week’s game through injury – Seamus Coleman, Andros Townsend and Ben Godfrey – are expected to return.
Many people have credited the return of Yerry Mina as a big reason for Everton’s display last week. It was the first time that the Colombian had started a game under Dyche with the ex-Burnley manager favouring Michael Keane alongside James Tarkowski. However, Mina was superb and will surely keep his place in the team for the visit of Manchester City.
Different gravy at the back when Yerry Mina is in the fold, I’m glad common sense has finally prevailed for Dyche. You pick your best, not your mates.
— The Everton End (@TheEvertonEnd) May 8, 2023
At the other end of the pitch, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to be available again after coming through the game with Brighton without any issues. The centre-forward has missed large parts of the season with various injuries and there is no doubt that Everton look completely different with him fully fit.
Manchester City Team News: Will Guardiola take any risks ahead of a huge midweek clash?
Manchester City had their toughest game in months on Tuesday night when they drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu with Real Madrid. In truth, City were perhaps fortunate to get out of Madrid with a draw as Los Blancos were the better team for large parts of the game. The prospect of playing them again in three days will surely be on Guardiola’s mind when selecting his team for the match against Everton.
In terms of injuries, Nathan Ake is feeling “much better” according to Guardiola however the Dutchman is unlikely to be risked at Goodison Park. Ake has been one of City’s best performers this season and Guardiola will want him back in the starting lineup to play against Rodrygo on Wednesday night.
PEP 💬 [On Nathan Ake] Much better but I don’t know. We have training in a few hours and we will see.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 12, 2023
A heavily changed Manchester City team is expected but that doesn’t mean that it will be particularly weak. The likes of Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, Aymeric Laporte, and Riyad Mahrez are expected to come into the starting lineup while Kalvin Phillips may even be in line for a rare start after a disappointing debut campaign at the club.
With Guardiola ringing the changes, Everton may be spared the hassle of having to face off against Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne who the Spaniard will want to keep as fresh as possible for the visit of Real Madrid.
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