Man City v Everton predictions & Premier League betting tips
Can City fix their defensive issues?
Although City have been in irrepressible form, their defensive issues in the Premier League will concern Guardiola. The Cityzens have kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 league games, which came against Sheffield United at home.
Neal Maupay’s strike for Brentford extended their run before Foden inspired a comeback. City conceded 33 goals in the Premier League last season and have already shipped 25 in 22 matches this term.
It is placing more pressure on their players in the final third, but even without Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland for extended periods, City have coped successfully.
But, to turn their momentum into a surge towards the top-flight crown, Guardiola will be targeting clean sheets. Everton have drawn a blank in their last three away games in all competitions, but top scorer Abdoulaye Doucoure could return at the Etihad.
The Toffees are winless in their last 14 matches in all competitions against City, losing the reverse fixture 3-1 at Goodison Park in December. They earned a 1-1 draw last season, but suffered 5-0 and 3-0 defeats in their previous two visits.
Guardiola’s men are slowly clicking into top gear and surely another clean sheet will come sooner rather than later. After looking at betting sites, we’re backing the hosts to win to nil at 21/20 with BetVictor.
Haaland to return to scoring ways
Haaland missed 12 games with a foot injury, but has made a staggered return to the City line-up.
He appeared off the bench against Burnley before playing 86 minutes in the win over Brentford, laying on an assist for Foden. Haaland has not found the back of the net in the Premier League since City’s draw with Liverpool on November 25.
It’s testament to how prolific he was before his injury that Haaland is still the joint-top scorer in the top flight with Mohamed Salah and remains the leading contender with betting apps to finish with the Golden Boot for a second season in a row.
For City to reach their peak form, they need the Norwegian fit and firing on all cylinders as they prepare for the stretch run on three fronts.
Haaland has a good record against Everton, scoring in both meetings with the Toffees last season. After missing so much time due to injury and not scoring since November, he will have the itch in front of goal.
We’re backing him to make the decisive impact from the start by scoring the first goal in the match at odds of 5/2 with Betfred.
Another low card count for City?
City have been one of the most disciplined teams in the Premier League this season. Only Arsenal have collected fewer yellow cards than Guardiola’s men, although the Cityzens have picked up two red cards over the course of the campaign.
In their win over Brentford, City had a clean game, avoiding the ire of referee Jarred Gillett. Since their return from the Club World Cup, they’ve earned seven yellow cards in five Premier League matches.
We expect that City will dominate the ball and Everton will look to sit back. So, the hosts will not be making too many challenges have only committed seven fouls in their last two games.
Referee John Brooks handled the reverse fixture and handed out two yellow cards to City, and four to the Toffees. He has averaged 4.64 cautions per game in 14 Premier League assignments this term.
But, we believe City will avoid his attention in this one, so we’re backing under 1.5 cards for the hosts at 17/20 with Unibet.
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Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.
