MANCHESTER CITY host Everton on Super Sunday from the Premier League. Chris Clark (@ChrisClark1975) shares his verdict.
Manchester City vs Everton | Sunday 21st November 2021, 14:00 | Sky Sports
Everton have a horrendous record against Manchester City. Absolutely awful, and I can't see it getting any better on Sunday.
Everton have only won one of the last 16 games against City, and that came way back in 2017. In fact the Toffees are winless against City in their last 11 at the Etihad in all competitions. (D4, L7).
Everton after a bright start to the season have been hit by injuries to key players, along with a frugal approach in the summer transfer window, in which they bought players who are good enough for a middle of the table finish, and lo and behold that's where we find Everton.
The injuries to Dominic Calvert-Levin and Abdoulaye Doucore have really hurt Rafa Benitez's men, especially Calvert-Lewin's injury. Salomon Rondon was a good player in 2018, but it's not 2018 anymore and it shows with Rondon. He doesn't have the legs anymore to play the target man role which is integral to how Benitez sets his side up, especially away from home.
Rafa will play cagey on Sunday, and City do have some key creative players out through injury and illness. Kevin De Bruyne will miss the game due to Covid, and Jack Grealish will miss out through injury, and there are question marks over Phil Foden's participation.
Whilst missing those key players would hit most sides, City aren't like most sides and can still call upon Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling to find their way through Rafa's defensive line up.
City also have a key Champions League game against PSG in the week, and with the majority of players only just returning from the international break, I can see Sunday's game being a comfortable City win by a couple of goals. Not a great watch, but 3 points for City, and Rafa happy that Everton weren't hammered and he can continue to use the “we've got injuries” excuse.
City have won seven in a row against Everton scoring 21 goals. Even I can work out that is an average of 3 goals a game. City to win and under 3.5 goals is 11/10 with Bet 365 and SkyBet.
