Everton are looking to build on positive results against Chelsea and Arsenal in their next Premier League game against Manchester City.
Everton are currently four points above the relegation zone and are in the middle of a very tricky run of fixtures.
But the performances against Chelsea and Arsenal were encouraging, especially from a defensive standpoint.
Everton may well have nicked all three points against Chelsea had it been for better finishing in the final third – but that has rather been the story of the Toffees’ season.
Up next for Everton is City at the Etihad Stadium – and Chris Sutton has now made this prediction for the game, amid the champions’ woeful form.
Chris Sutton tips Man City to beat Everton
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City challenges Seamus Coleman of Everton FC during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton FC at Et...
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Everton will be buoyed by the last two results going into this game with City.
Currently, the Premier League champions are on a run of one win in their last 12 games, which has taken the footballing world by complete surprise.
Pep Guardiola has achieved extraordinary things with that team but right now, he’s really struggling to come up with solutions.
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Sean Dyche and Everton may really fancy their chances going to the Etihad. But the Toffees must be mindful of the ‘wounded animal’ theory, as Nottingham Forest recently experienced.
Everton will be without Ashley Young for the City game, with the veteran injured and suspended anyway. Potentially this could mean a rare outing for Seamus Coleman, whom Dyche talked up ahead of the game.
Despite the contrasting form of the two teams right now, pundit Chris Sutton doesn’t feel Everton will add to City’s misery.
Predicting a 2-1 home win, he said (via BBC Sport): “Manchester City are finding everything difficult at the moment, including creating chances and scoring goals, but I still think it is just a matter of time until they come good again – they have to.
“There is so much noise around City at the moment, about what is going wrong, but this is still a game they should win.
“Everton have kept clean sheets in five of their past six games but they got thumped the last time they came to Manchester – at the start of December, when they lost 4-0 to Manchester United.
“I think they will lose at Etihad Stadium too.”
Everton can beat Man City
Pundits continually back City against teams lower in the Premier League table, but they keep struggling and there have been few signs lately of them turning things around.
They’re a side that seemingly really need the January transfer window, with their side in need of a rebuild.
Everton have got to believe they can win this game.
There may never be a better time to play City, and everyone has seen how good Everton have been defensively in recent weeks.
If Dyche can get another solid display out of his players on Thursday, then there could be every chance of taking three points.
Dyche should consider throwing Armando Broja in from the start against City, as his physical presence could really unsettle a very shaky City backline.
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