English Premier League Preview : Manchester City Versus Everton (Week 8).

English Premier League Preview: Manchester City Versus Everton (Week 8).

By Ewah Chika.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is one club Ronald Koeman and his troops will do anything to avoid playing at this moment considering Everton are winless in their last three games having won five on the spin before the ugly patch. Everton are also yet to beat Manchester City at the Etihad in their last five attempts which makes it slightly simple for free scoring Manchester City who have scored at least two their last six games.


City will have to be at their best to penetrate a highly defensive Everton side who have conceded only four league goals in seven games this season. Ronald Koeman's side are more balanced this season unlike last season under Roberto Martinez where they conceded goals at an alarming rate. City will look to dominate the game from the start having scored twice in the first 30 minutes five times this season. To prevent Everton from scoring, City will need to stop the wingers (Yanick Bolasie and Ross Barkley) from supplying Romelu Lukaku as the striker thrives on aerial duels and spaces. To neutralise the Belgian, Nicolas Otamendi will need to play physical trying to hassle and keep him close as Lukaku is one that is easily isolated when starved of service hence unable to create chances himself. Forcing Lukaku to play deep as a result of shortage of service will benefit City considering the trio of Gareth Barry, Idris Gana Gueye and Cleverly expected  to play in the midfield aren't top quality offensively compared to Bolasie and Barkley (4-3-3) who will be in the wings. City also have the quality in attack to stretch old and static Everton's defence. With the likes of Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Ashley Williams all above 30, tormenting them with the pace and trickery of Nolito, David Silva and Sergio Aguero. Guardiola will do well to start Ilkay Gundogan in midfield to partner Fernandinho rather than play destroyer Fernando for a team (Everton) that will be  set-up to defend deep against City.  City aren't a physical side but that doesn't mean they suffer when the play physical sides having beaten the likes of Sunderland, Manchester United and Stoke, rather what Everton should concentrate on is outrunning, pressing City high when out of possession without losing their defensive line  and winning 50/50 chances.

Having conceded just four goals in seven games this season, Koeman has restored the balance his side lacked last season. Out running City will be the first thing Everton should do as it neutralises them just like Tottenham proved the last time. Celtic on their part exploited this weakness in the Champions League taking the lead thrice before ending the game with a draw. Despite having John Stones and Otamendi in central-defence, City lack the coordination and calming presence of Captain Vincent Kompany who is presently sidelined. City play sleek passing with emphasis on defenders retaining possession instead of shooting the ball out to clear danger, hence keeping a clean sheet depends on ball retention which if outrun and obstructed will hurt the fragile defence. Everton will also need to mount pressure on Claudio Bravo as he has drawn so much criticism due to his restlessness and unnecessary touches /passes. The Chilean captain on several occasions has failed to kick the ball out when in danger, choosing to pass it around and put him and his defenders under undue pressure and to think that Joe Hart was sent on loan in place of Bravo for not being able to play with his feet is not only laughable but questionable .

A highly exciting game is expected today as It is benefiting for fans to savour the return of the Premier League after the international break.