Last updated on April 18, 2025
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Man City celebrates after the victory over Crystal Palace inspired by Kevin De Bruyne.
Image credit: Manchester City
Manchester City head to Merseyside looking to tighten their grip on a top-five finish as they take on a revitalized Everton side at Goodison Park.
Pep Guardiola’s men will be eager to continue their dominance over the Toffees, having gone unbeaten in their last 15 league encounters against them.
However, David Moyes’ Everton are in impressive form and have turned their home ground into a recent fortress.
Everton’s Turnaround Under Moyes
When Moyes returned to Goodison in January, Everton were teetering just above the drop zone.
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Fast forward to mid-April, and the Toffees are sitting 17 points clear of danger, with survival all but assured.
Only four teams have collected more points than Everton (21) since Moyes took charge, thanks to a solid record of five wins, six draws, and only two losses in 13 matches.
Their latest outing saw them snatch a dramatic 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest with a last-gasp goal from Abdoulaye Doucouré—one of the many players to thrive under Moyes.
Now 13th in the table, Everton are unbeaten in their last six at home, albeit with four straight draws.
Avoiding a fifth consecutive home draw would be unprecedented in their history.
City’s Mixed Away Form and Injury Woes
Despite a thumping 5-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace last week—driven by Kevin De Bruyne—City have been inconsistent away from home.
They’ve scored just twice in their last four away games, drawing blanks in their past two trips to Forest and Manchester United.
Injuries continue to pile up for Guardiola.
Ederson (groin) joins a lengthy injury list including Rodri, Haaland, Ake, Stones, Akanji, and potentially Foden.
As a result, Stefan Ortega is set to start in goal, while changes are expected in both defense and attack to freshen up the side.
Team News
Everton
- Out: Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Doubts: Dwight McNeil (fitness), Carlos Alcaraz (bench role likely)
- Possible XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucouré, Ndiaye; Beto
Manchester City
- Out: Ederson, Rodri, Haaland, Stones, Ake, Akanji
- Doubts: Phil Foden
- Possible XI: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo; Savinho, Marmoush, De Bruyne
Key Stats
- City are unbeaten in 15 straight league games vs Everton (W12 D3)
- Everton last beat City in January 2017 (4-0 at Goodison)
- The Toffees are unbeaten in their last six home games (D4 W2)
- City have scored over 100 goals this season, a 12th consecutive century
Prediction
Despite Everton’s defensive resilience and home form, Manchester City’s attacking depth—especially with De Bruyne firing—should be enough to edge them past a plucky Everton side.
