The 2023/24 Premier League season has been an unpredictable rollercoaster for many teams, with reigning champions Manchester City experiencing some unexpected turbulence and Everton facing challenges from the very beginning. With both teams looking to secure critical points, their upcoming clash at the Etihad Stadium promises to be a pivotal moment in the league’s standings.
Manchester City’s Rocky Patch After a Strong Start
Manchester City started their Premier League campaign with confidence, living up to their status as defending champions. After a successful summer transfer window, which saw the arrival of key talents like Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, and Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennes, City appeared to be well-positioned to replicate the success of their treble-winning 2022/23 season. However, things haven’t gone entirely to plan recently.
Pep Guardiola’s team stormed through the opening matches of the season, winning six consecutive Premier League games, reinforcing their status as title favorites. But their first defeat, a shock 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, exposed vulnerabilities. Despite efforts from players like Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, a Ruben Dias own goal and a decisive strike by Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan saw City’s winning streak come to a halt.
The setback didn’t end there, as Manchester City faced back-to-back defeats. A narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates, courtesy of a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli, further dented their momentum. Since then, City has managed just one win in their last five league games, marking a rough patch for a club accustomed to dominating its opponents.
Recent draws against fellow top-six rivals Chelsea (4-4), Liverpool (1-1), and Tottenham Hotspur (3-3) highlight the challenges Guardiola’s men face. City’s latest setback came with a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, adding pressure as they look to reignite their campaign. Despite these struggles, Manchester City still holds a solid position in the top four, with 30 points from 15 matches, trailing league leaders Arsenal by four points.
Everton’s Tough Start and Recent Resurgence
On the other hand, Everton’s 2023/24 season began under a cloud of uncertainty. After a difficult 2022/23 season where they narrowly avoided relegation, Everton’s start to the current campaign has been far from ideal. The Toffees managed just four wins and one draw in their first 10 matches, enduring losses against Fulham, Arsenal, and Liverpool, among others.
However, Sean Dyche’s side has shown resilience in recent weeks, recording three wins in their last five Premier League games. Everton’s improved performances have seen them edge out Crystal Palace in a thrilling 3-2 win and secure victories against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. However, the team’s inconsistent form, compounded by a 3-0 loss to Manchester United, leaves them precariously positioned near the relegation zone. Additionally, a ten-point deduction for breaching financial fair play rules has left them with 10 points after 15 matches, sitting 17th on the table—just one point above Luton Town.
Key Team Departures and New Arrivals
Both Manchester City and Everton saw significant squad changes over the summer transfer window. For Manchester City, departures included promising youngster Cole Palmer, who joined Chelsea, as well as veteran players like Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte, who moved to Saudi clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, respectively. Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo secured a loan move to Barcelona, and Ilkay Gundogan also departed for the Catalan club on a free transfer.
Everton had their own notable exits, with Moise Kean returning to Juventus, Alex Iwobi joining Fulham, and Demarai Gray moving to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. Neal Maupay and Mason Holgate also left the club on loan, while players like Tom Davies, Asmir Begovic, and Yerry Mina departed on free transfers. To bolster their squad, Everton brought in new talents such as Beto from Udinese, Chermiti from Sporting CP, and Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal.
Manchester City’s Tactical Approach
Manchester City’s approach under Pep Guardiola has always emphasized a possession-based game, controlling the midfield, and dictating play. Guardiola’s team typically builds from the back, using short, precise passes to create numerical advantages in midfield and break down defensive lines. Players like Rodri and Bernardo Silva will be pivotal in maintaining control, while Erling Haaland will look to continue his prolific goal-scoring form in the final third.
City’s lineup for the clash with Everton is expected to include their usual defensive stalwarts and attacking talents:
Ederson, Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Akanji, Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Doku, and Haaland.
Everton’s Direct Style
In contrast, Everton tends to adopt a more direct approach, often utilizing long balls to their center forward in an attempt to progress quickly into the attacking third. Under Sean Dyche, Everton will look to defend resolutely and capitalize on set-piece opportunities or counter-attacks.
Everton’s lineup may feature:
Pickford, Coleman, Tarkowski, Braithwaite, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Gueye, Young, Harrison, McNeil, and Calvert-Lewin.
Head-to-Head and Match Predictions
Manchester City and Everton have faced off 39 times in the Premier League, with City winning 20 of those encounters and Everton securing 12 victories, alongside seven draws. As the reigning champions, City are unbeaten at the Etihad this season, making it an intimidating venue for Everton. Despite Everton’s recent uptick in form, Manchester City’s home advantage and superior squad depth make them strong favorites to take all three points.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Everton.
Match Tickets and Details
The highly anticipated Manchester City vs Everton clash will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 3 PM UK time. The Etihad Stadium, with its 53,400-seat capacity, is expected to be a sellout. For those unable to secure tickets through official channels, ticket reselling sites may offer an alternative.
Conclusion: Can Everton Upset the Odds?
Manchester City may have had a rough patch recently, but their quality and home form remain formidable. Everton’s resurgence under Sean Dyche provides some hope for the Toffees, but they will need to be at their best to upset the reigning champions. With both teams eyeing critical points—City to keep pace with the top four, and Everton to avoid the drop—this promises to be a thrilling contest. As the 2023/24 Premier League season unfolds, all eyes will be on Manchester City to see if they can regain their dominant form, while Everton fights to climb away from the relegation zone.
