The Premier League is now into its third week
and this time we have a spectacular fixture on the cards as Everton take on
Manchester City at Goodison Park. A face off between the blue halves of two of the most passionate football cities is no less
in terms of quality and sheer entertainment than their rather more celebrated red halves. In spite of being the financial
heavyweights they are, City have not had it easy against Everton if past results are to go
by and this one promises to be no different as Roberto Martinez’s men would
look to give the City their toughest test till now.
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| Everton take on Manchester City in a mouth-watering clash |
Manchester City
If the first 2 games were a sign of things to come, Manchester City well and truly are the early contenders for the title. After starting
the season on a high with a 3-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion, City
completely annihilated the defending champions, Chelsea with a 3-0 mauling which
only cemented their position atop the league table. With confidence sky high,
City now face Everton at Goodison which hasn’t been a happy visiting ground for The Citizens.
Probable XI
Joe Hart (GK), B. Sagna, V. Kompany (C), E. Mangala, A.
Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, J. Navas, D. Silva, R. Sterling, S. Aguero
Strengths
Given the nature of their playing style, everything about this team
seems to be a strength when it comes to Manchester City. Sergio Aguero had a troubled
season last year which saw him miss many games but in spite of that his goals
tally seemed impressive. Though he may not be setting the goal scoring charts
on fire just yet, his performances so far have been promising and definitely a
sign of things to come. Many question marks were raised about Yaya Toure and
his future at the club but the Ivorian seems to have left the past tensions and
the average season behind him and returned to his former dominant self which in
itself is like signing a new player. David Silva has become the Premier
League’s assist machine as he continues to be pivotal to all City moves in the
final third.
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| Will the transition to England be smooth? |
At the other half of the pitch Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim
Mangala seem to have forged a great partnership with the captain even managing
to score 2 goals in 2 games. Alexander Kolarov and Bacary Sagna as the 2 full
backs have been pretty fluid with their movements up and down the flanks. If
City were not fearsome enough at the back the signing of Argentine Nicolas
Ottamendi from Valencia has made them a seemingly impenetrable force at the
back. Backed by their endless squad-depth Pellegrini is spoilt for choice with
his squad selection.
Weaknesses
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| Mangala has a mistake or two in him. Can Everton capitalise? |
Manchester City have remained largely untested even though
they faced Chelsea. This is a team which largely focuses on attack and it is on
the counter that they seem vulnerable at the back and that is where Everton can
catch them off guard. In last week’s game against Southampton all the Everton
goals came from 2 brilliant counter- attacking moves which if executed as
effectively as last week might rattle the largely unchallenged City defense.
Everton
Fresh from a surprise away victory against Southampton, Roberto Martinez and Everton will be riding on their recent form and high
morale to take on City. This fixture last season was a gritty 1-1 draw and
with the Toffees faithful firmly behind them Everton will not go down without
a fight. Roberto Martinez has a rather poor managerial record against City but
that is something he would surely like to fix.
Probable XI
T. Howard (GK), S.
Coleman, J. Stones, P. Jagielka, L. Galloway, J. McCArthy, G. Barry (C) , A.
Kone, R. Barkley, K. Mirallas, R. Lukaku
Strengths
Strengths
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| Will this man make all the difference? |
After managing a 2-2 draw against premier league newcomers,
Watford City, Everton finally got their season on track against Southampton with
an amazing display of counter attacking football which saw the return to form
of Belgian Forward Romelu Lukaku. He combines the best of raw pace with his
sheer strength and shooting prowess which makes him lethal on his day. Ross
Barkley seems to have added to his reputation as the Premier League’s next big
star with a screamer against Watford and an insightful assist for Lukaku
against Southampton before putting one in the back of the net himself. Arouna Kone has
returned to his old self. He scored the equalizer against Watford and set up
Lukaku for his first goal with a sublime cross at St. Mary’s. Everton will be
boosted by the return of Kevin Mirallas who was an unused substitute against
Southampton and winger Aiden McGEady who is back from injury. But the X-factor
for Everton will be the proximity of the home fans which makes it one of the most intimidating venues to play
at.
Weakness
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| In 6s and 7s at the back. |
A lot has been made out of the Everton’s defensive record at
home but the 2 goals conceded on opening day tell a different story. Last
season, Everton created a lot of chances through their full backs Coleman and
Baines but with young Galloway at left back Everton will miss the soothing presence of Baines at the back. Never ending speculation
about John Stones and his future at Goodison seems to have diverted his mind
off of the campaign. With the likes of Aguero and Co. charging all guns blazing
Everton cannot afford one wrong step.
Possible Result
This fixture has not witnessed a goalless draw in quite a
long time and given the attacking talents on display at both ends of the pitch
that statistic is not going to change. City have the edge over Everton in all
departments and that will eventually help them overcome the Toffees. Everton,
however, will not go down without scoring a goal or two themselves. This will
be a tight one but we expect a 2-1 victory for Manchester City.
Written by
Pranav Shenoy
Pranav is a Writer for 18Yardbox.
(@Devilshenoy93)
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