Everton’s push for European football hits a roadblock
Everton are winless in their last three in the Premier League to lose momentum in the race for European football. The Toffees suffered late heartbreak when they lost to rivals Liverpool at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, conceding to Virgil van Dijk’s header, and then lost late against West Ham last time out when Callum Wilson struck at the death.
The results mean Everton have dropped to 11th in the table, but they are still only five points off a European place. A win tonight would see them go level on points with Brighton and above Chelsea into 9th.
Is Everton vs Man City on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Premier League clash
The pressure is on Manchester City to remain in touch with Arsenal in the Premier League title race as they face a potentially tricky trip to Everton.
Mikel Areta’s side took care of business against Fulham to open their advantage to six points at the top of the table and boosted their goal difference, with their title rivals now looking to reply in kind.
It’ll be a busy end to the league campaign for Pep Guardiola and his squad with five league games still to play as well as the FA Cup final, but a slip-up here could well prove costly.
Everton still have plenty to play for, too, in a congested chase for European places. They sit 11th after the weekend’s results.
What Pep Guardiola said about Rodri’s fitness
The Ballon d’Or winner has not featured since the win against Arsenal, missing subsequent games against Burnley and Southampton in the FA Cup.
On Friday, Pep Guardiola said: “He [Rodri] is getting better. Still hasn’t trained with us, so we will see.[Ruben Dias] is not yet with the team. Him, Josko [Gvardiol] and Rodri are getting better.”
What is the Man City team news?
Rodri was yet to train when Pep Guardiola spoke on Friday and is a doubt as he manages a groin injury. Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are absent, though.
Possible line-up: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Semenyo, Silva, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
What is the Everton team news?
Everton have Beto back available with the striker recovered from the concussion that kept him out of the game against West Ham. Jarrad Branthwaite and Jack Grealish are set to miss the remainder of the season.
Possible line-up: Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.
Good evening
It’s another big night in the title race as Everton host Manchester City in the Premier League. Arsenal went six points clear with victory over Fulham on Saturday, but Manchester City have two games in hand. They will need to be perfect, though, if they are to beat the Gunners to the title.
Follow all the team news and build-up right here.
