Everton vs Manchester City preview

By Ric Turner, Wed 06 January 2016 10:55


Everton vs Manchester City previewBony ruled out with calf injury

Everton vs Manchester City

Date: 8pm, Wednesday 6th January 2016

Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool

Referee: Bobby Madley Assistants: J Brooks, S Long Fourth Official: R East

Odds: Everton 11/4, Draw 14/5, City 21/20

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Everton

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Squad (from): Howard, Robles, Baines, Coleman, Hibbert, Mori, Stones, Barkley, Barry, Besic, Cleverley, Galloway, Gibson, Lennon, McGeady, Mirallas, Osman, Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku, Naismith

Injured: Jagielka, Pienaar, McCarthy, Browning

Doubtful: Oviedo

Suspended: None

Form guide: DLWLDD

Manchester City

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Squad (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas, Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Iheanacho

Injured: Nasri, Kompany, Bony

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: WDWLWL

Wilfied Bony has been ruled out after suffering a calf injury, although the Ivorian is expected to be available for the FA Cup tie at Norwich on Saturday. Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri remain on the sidelines.

With a trip to Wembley up for grabs, manager Manuel Pellegrini has urged his players to remain grounded and concentrate on the task at hand.

“We must beat Everton, then we can think about the first title and then we think about the best way to start the FA Cup - we must focus game by game regardless of the competition,” he warned.

“Maybe it’s impossible to win all of the competitions but your attitude and desire and having a winning mentality indicates you must believe you can.

“It’s important when you’re in a competition to try to win it. We’ve won three games and now we’re in the semi-final.

“It’s very beautiful to finish at Wembley in front of a lot of people.

“It’s always better to play away first so you know what you need in the second leg at home. Maybe it’s more important in the Champions League trying not to concede in the home games.”

City's last away game at Goodison Park ended in 2-0 win, with goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri. Overall City have won 67 of the 177 games played against Everton, with 44 draws and 66 defeats.

Prediction: Everton 2 City 1