Manchester City mean business. The two-time Premier League champions have put down an early marker in their quest to reclaim the title with back-to-back 3-0 wins, including one against champions Chelsea. Next up for in-form City is an away date against another undefeated side, Everton, who are also coming off an impressive 3-0 win of their own against Southampton.
Get the full breakdown of City’s visit to Everton below. Meanwhile, check out our preview of Monday’s mouthwatering Arsenal vs. Liverpool clash.
[sc:Soccer ]Everton vs. Manchester City Preview
Where: Goodison Park, Liverpool
When: Sunday, August 23, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Manchester City at Everton – view all EPL lines
Betting on Everton
After coming unstuck in a 2-2 home draw against newly-promoted Watford, Everton recovered in impressive fashion with a 3-0 away win at Southampton. The Toffees find themselves fifth in the early going with four points.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Romelu Lukaku, last season’s top scorer with 10 goals, bagged a brace, while Ross Barkley scored his second goal in as many matches to tie his output for the entirety of last season. It’s still very early, but the 21-year-old Barkley is showing signs that he’s finally close to fulfilling his tremendous potential.
Barkley’s ability to continue his excellent form will be crucial for Everton to get anything against City. With Yaya Toure’s tendency to get caught out at times defensively, Barkley certainly has a chance to cause some trouble in City’s defense.
Everton’s own defense will need to be airtight against an in-form City attack. After struggling at times last season, though, they had a more assured performance against Southampton. The midfield duo of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy shielded the defense well, but they’ll have their hands full with the visit of Toure and David Silva.
Everton’s fans aren’t happy with the club’s lack of investment this season, but strong support will be needed with City’s visit to Goodison. Everton had a mediocre home record last season, winning just seven, drawing seven and losing five.
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Betting on Manchester City
Two games, two 3-0 wins. It can’t get much better than that for Manchester City. The two-time champions have begun the season in imperious form, in large part because their top players are performing to their full potential.
Captain Vincent Kompany and midfield dynamo Yaya Toure, who were criticised for their subpar play last season, have started this campaign on fire. Kompany has scored in each of his first two games (and, more importantly, has helped keep consecutive clean sheets), while Toure is back to his all-action best.
David Silva and Sergio Aguero, who were City’s best players last season, have also been standout performers in the first two games.
Record signing Raheem Sterling has yet to score his first goal, but his presence has already made a world of difference to the City attack. The width he and Jesus Navas provide on the wings has been crucial to opening up spaces for Toure, Silva and Aguero in the middle. That effect was clear for all to see in City’s incredible 3-0 demolition of champions Chelsea.
This newfound width City are playing with should once again play to their advantage, especially against an Everton team that is missing star left-back, Leighton Baines, who’s recovering from ankle surgery. After picking on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic on the left-hand side, look for City to exploit Baines’ stand-in, 19-year-old Brendan Galloway over on the right.
Manuel Pellegrini’s team hasn’t had too many problems finding a way to Everton’s goal. In two seasons under Pellegrini, City have scored eight goals in four matches against Everton. The Citizens are undefeated in those four games, with three wins and a draw.
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester City make mince meat out of young Galloway as they continue to roll with a 2-0 away win over Everton.
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