Prediction and odds for the game: Everton (11/2) vs Manchester City (9/20)
We are backing under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 13/10
When: Monday, 28th December 2020, Kick-off 20:00
Where: Goodison Park
On Monday night, in-form Everton host Manchester City at Goodison Park in the Premier League, as the home side look to maintain their spot in the league’s top-four.
Everton
Despite a recent injury-crisis, Everton heads into this game on the back of four straight league wins. A 1-0 win at bottom of the table Sheffield United last time out means that the Toffees have kept three clean sheets in their last four Premier League outings, conceding just one goal in the process.
The good recent form has moved Carlo Ancelotti’s team up to second place in the top-flight table, two points behind arch-rivals Liverpool. However, the reigning champions have a game in hand against struggling West Brom on Sunday afternoon.
The Toffees have been difficult to beat at Goodison Park in the Premier League, having lost just three of their last 19 league outings. Ancelotti’s team has also won their previous two league games on home soil against Chelsea and Arsenal.
One of the negatives for the home side is that their squad has been stretched majorly in recent weeks. Lucas Digne, Allan, Richarlison, Fabian Delph and Jean Philippe-Gbamin are all expected to miss out. James Rodriguez also faces a late fitness test. Bernard is likely to come in for youngster Anthony Gordon.
Manchester City
The Citizens now look to be building up a slight head of steam of late. Pep Guardiola’s team are unbeaten in six league games, having recorded four wins in the process. A 2-0 win over Newcastle in their last top-flight game means that City have kept clean sheets in five of their previous six outings, conceding just once in the run.
Manchester City will move above the home side in the Premier League table. The Citizens will be hopeful of challenging for the title if they can continue in their current vein of form.
The visitors recent away form in the Premier League has been slightly inconsistent, although Guardiola’s team has lost just once in their last nine away games in the top-flight. City have been solid in defence on their league travels, as they have kept three clean sheets in their last four away matches.
The visitors may well choose to rotate their squad, with the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Benjamin Mendy and Phil Foden could all come into the starting eleven. Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker are sidelined due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Conclusion
Everton have been in strong form of late. However, this game may be one too far for Ancelotti’s injury-hit squad. We do fancy a City win, but the odds are not great. Instead, we will look to the goals markets for slightly better odds. The first bet we are backing is under 2.5 goals, as both teams have been strong in defence of late, while the pair are both missing key attacking players. The bet we are backing is no for both teams to score, as the home side has struggled for goals without those missing attacking players.
Verdict: We are backing under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 13/10 and/or no to both teams to score at evens. (All bets are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top in this potentially pivotal game?
