Everton vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·19 aprile 2025

Everton vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

Manchester City travel to Goodison Park for the final time this afternoon to face Everton.

Pep Guardiola’s side are on course to qualify for the Champions League and currently sit just inside the top five.

OneFootball Video

The Spanish manager’s options have been reinforced by the timely returns of Manuel Akanji and Phil Foden. Akanji has been involved in the last few training sessions after spending two months on the sidelines with an abductor injury. Foden missed last Saturday’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace due to a knock he picked up in the Manchester Derby a fortnight ago.

Heading to Goodison Park for a 100th and final time 🏟️
– sabato 19 aprile 2025

Guardiola announced that first-choice goalkeeper Ederson will miss the trip to Merseyside. The Brazilian stopper aggravated a pre-existing issue moments after recording his fourth Premier League assist of the season against Palace.

Central defenders John Stones and Nathan Ake are progressing in their respective recoveries but are ruled out this afternoon. An ankle injury may force top goal scorer Erling Haaland to watch the remainder of the season from the stands.

Since David Moyes was reappointed as Everton manager in January, the Toffees haven’t lost in their six home matches under the Scotsman.

In his Friday press conference, the Everton manager provided an update on the condition of Dwight McNeil. The former Burnley winger is being eased back to action following a lengthy spell out injured and his fitness is being carefully monitored.

Napoli loanee Jesper Lindstrom may have played his last game for Everton with a groin injury likely to prematurely end his season.

Everton vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

Form

Everton: DDLDW

Everton ended their six-game winless run with a hard-fought away victory at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

It was a smash-and-grab performance from the Toffees as they stole the full complement of points in the dying embers.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Abdoulaye Doucoure swept home the winner to send the travelling support into raptures.

Recent goals have gone straight into the Everton history books for Doucouré. 👏
– mercoledì 16 aprile 2025

That result saw Everton climb into 13th position in the Premier League table having only lost two of their 13 league games under David Moyes.

A win this afternoon would mathematically guarantee their survival from relegation ahead of the move to their new stadium.

Manchester City: DWWDW

Manchester City produced a thrilling comeback to beat Crystal Palace 5-2 last Saturday.

It was a nightmare start for the Citizens with the visitors racing into a two-goal lead through Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards.

But a quick-fire double from Kevin De Bruyne and Omar Marmoush got City level before scoring three more after the break.

As it stands, Pep Guardiola’s side will qualify for the Champions League next season. They occupy fifth position, although Chelsea and Aston Villa trail them by only a single point.

Last Meeting: Manchester City 1-1 Everton, Premier League, 26th December 2024

The spoils were shared on Boxing Day as a determined Everton outfit frustrated reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side threatened from the first whistle and hit the upright in the opening exchanges. A well-worked corner routine culminated with Phil Foden’s delivery landing on the head of Josko Gvardiol. The Croatian’s firm header struck the post with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford motionless.

Everton succumbed to City’s unwavering pressure in the 14th minute. Jeremy Doku slipped in Bernardo Silva and with the help of a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite, the diminutive midfielder beat Pickford.

The goalscorer then picked up a pocket of space just outside the box and proceeded to poke wide with an unorthodox attempt.

Completely against the run of play, the visitors equalised in the 33rd minute through Iliman Ndiaye. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross was poorly dealt with by Manuel Akanji and bounced out to Ndiaye. The former Sheffield United forward took a deft touch to control before nonchalantly half-volleying the ball into the top corner. Everton were level; City were dismayed.

Proceedings followed a similar pattern after the break, with Guardiola’s men regaining control of the contest. Pickford positioned himself smartly to block Savinho’s volley before Mateo Kovacic narrowly struck wide from range.

Within six minutes of the restart, the England number one had to face a penalty against Erling Haaland. Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot after Savinho burst clear of Vitalii Mykolenko and was hacked down by the Ukrainian international.

However, Pickford was the hero for the Toffees as he guessed the right way to prevent Haaland from converting. The 24-year-old eventually headed the ball in, but it was ruled out for offside. Following that miss, City struggled to break down the Everton resistance and were held at home.

Predicted Lineups

Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Alcaraz, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto

Manchester City: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Gonzalez; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush.

Who is the referee?

Simon Hooper will be the match official. Adrian Holmes and Simon Long will assist him while Bobby Madley will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Darren England and he will be assisted by Scott Ledger.