PREVIEW: Manchester City host resurgent Everton at the Etihad | OneFootball

David Moyes’ Everton side travel to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon [15:00 BST] to face Pep Guardiola’s in-form Manchester City, who are determined to keep up the pressure on the league’s runaway leaders Liverpool and Arsenal. The Toffees come into the fixture following a string of good results that have put them in eighth place in the Premier League.

Jack Grealish, who has been a revelation for Everton this season and scored in injury time to end Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run last time out, will be unavailable to face his parent club – a huge blow for Moyes’ side. Optimism remains high, though, as Moyes has built a settled line-up with a strong spine that has brought stability and consistency to Everton’s campaign so far.

City have been on an incredible run since their defeat away to Brighton at the end of August, going unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions. At the heart of their success this season has been the relentless Erling Haaland, who has netted nine times in seven games in the Premier League and 12 in all competitions. His prolific form shows no signs of stopping and will certainly provide a conundrum for David Moyes to solve.

City will need their run of good form to continue in order to make up for lost ground on Liverpool and Arsenal. The Citizens had a stumbling start to their season and find themselves four places behind the teams of Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta.

Team news

City will be hoping to be boosted by the return of Omar Marmoush, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Abdukodir Khusanov, who have all had spells out with injury this season. On the other hand, Rodri is expected to be a major doubt as he was taken off before half-time against Brentford in their last outing. Attacker Rayan Cherki was an unused substitute against Brentford, so is very much in contention to start after he missed several games with a thigh issue.

The Frenchman may have to bide his time, however, as Guardiola has preferred utilising Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders in forward positions even when Cherki has been fit. The talented Jérémy Doku is expected to start as City aim to make it three wins in a row.

Everton will be without Jack Grealish as they face the Englishman’s parent club, and it may be too soon for highly rated centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite to return. He is set to be assessed before the game, alongside Michael Keane and Merlin Röhl.

Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to return from his suspension this week and will be re-deployed behind either Beto or Thierno Barry. Moyes will need to adapt his attack in the absence of Grealish, possibly putting Iliman Ndiaye on the left with Carlos Alcaraz on the right.

Predicted lineups