Image copyright: Getty Images
2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 36
Everton v Manchester City
Goodison Park
Liverpool, England
Sunday, 14 May 2023
Kick-off is at 15h00
Manchester City will look to take a step closer to defending their
Premier League crown when they travel to Liverpool to take on a buoyant Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, May 14.
The Citizens are favourites to win the title for the third year running after embarking on a 10-match winning streak in the league to go one point clear at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola's side beat Leeds 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday to open up a four-point gap to Arsenal, who slashed the deficit to one with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park the following day.
Image copyright: Getty Images
City will be wary of complacency, however, after the Toffees breathed new life into their bid for survival with a 5-1 thumping of Brighton at the Amex on Monday.
A first win in eight outings lifted Sean Dyche's team out of the relegation zone up to 17th place, two points above Leicester (18th) and Leeds (19th) going into the final three fixtures of the season.
Bournemouth (14th), West Ham (15th) and Nottingham Forest (16th) aren't mathematically safe either yet as they sit on 39, 37 and 33 points respectively.
Dwight McNeil continues to impress under Dyche, who previously managed him for four year at Burnley. The 23-year-old winger has made a vital contribution to the team in recent weeks, scoring five goals in his last nine appearances, while also registering an assist alongside his brace against the Seagulls last time out.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Ilkay Gundogan has proved his worth to City this season as skipper and led from the front with a match-winning brace against the Whites last weekend. The German midfielder has made 25 starts in the league and was rested for just five games as the Citizens pushed for trophies on four fronts in 2022-23 - they are still in the hunt for FA Cup and UEFA Champions League glory.
In team news, the hosts have a handful of injuries to contend with as Seamus Coleman, Andros Townsend (both knee), Ruben Vinagre (calf), Dele Alli and Ben Godfrey (both groin) remain unavailable. Cole Palmer (ankle) and Nathan Ake (thigh) are the only absentees for the visitors.
Dyche praised his players for taking the game to Albion from the get-go as Everton scored five away goals in the top flight for the first time since 26 December 2018.
"That was the most pleasing thing because we didn't wait for anything to happen. We stepped on them immediately and broke through their tactical plan, which we suggested we might be able to do," he told evertontv.
"Then, we found a key moment. In other games, we've been frustrated by the lack of those moments and the lack of clarity, but tonight, it was a different ball game.
"I must say, I thought at Leicester, there was clear signs of what we're trying to achieve. I spoke to the players and said 'Right, it's not just about parking that and moving forward. Now, we build on the back of that.' So, I was really pleased with that; the attitude and mentality to take this game on."
Guardiola paid tribute to Gundogan after impressed as a holding midfielder in the absence of Rodrigo, declaring the German as one of the best he's worked with in his career.
"I remember one season when we won the second Premier League when Fernandinho was injured for a long time and he (Gundogan) played as holding midfielder in games like against Burnley away with the long balls, second balls and... wow... he played," the Spaniard said.
"I said I had the feeling that without him we couldn't win the Premier League. He's so intelligent, Gundo, so clever and competitive. Under pressure he handles it without a problem.
"He's one of the best players I ever trained in my career in terms of the whole package. He's top, top class."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Everton - 0
Man City - 4
Draws - 1
Matchday 36 fixtures:
Saturday, May 13
13h30: Leeds United v Newcastle United
16h00: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
16h00: Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
16h00: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
16h00: Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
16h00: Southampton v Fulham
Sunday, May 14
15h00: Brentford v West Ham United
15h00: Everton v Manchester City
17h30: Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
Monday, May 15
21h00: Leicester City v Liverpool
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the Spanish La Liga, the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A and many more
Ready to take your shot?
Are you ready for some heart-pumping, adrenaline-rushing fun? Then it's time to step onto the field and show off your skills in the electrifying casino game.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.