Manchester City will look to extend their winning momentum when they welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium this weekend, aiming to build on their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford prior to the international break. Pep Guardiola’s side have been in steady form, and the visit of David Moyes’ men offers another chance to climb higher in the Premier League standings.
City’s win over Brentford was sealed by an early strike from Erling Haaland, whose clinical finish in the ninth minute proved decisive. The Norwegian continued his red-hot streak during the international break, scoring in an 11th consecutive game, while new arrivals such as Tijjani Reijnders impressed for their national teams. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic made his long-awaited return from injury during Croatia’s 3-0 win against Gibraltar.
Everton enter the tie without Jack Grealish, who remains ineligible to face his parent club due to Premier League loan regulations. The Toffees will therefore rely on other creative outlets as they seek an upset at the Etihad. The last time the two sides met, Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners at Goodison Park thanks to goals from Kovacic and academy graduate Nico O’Reilly.
Fitness issues have eased for Guardiola’s squad in recent weeks, with Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Rayan Aït-Nouri all back in contention. Additionally, Rayan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic have rejoined full training, though doubts remain over Rodri’s fitness following a hamstring issue sustained earlier this month.
Predicted Manchester City XI
Goalkeeper:
Gianluigi Donnarumma retains his spot between the sticks after a string of commanding displays. The Italian has quickly established himself as Guardiola’s undisputed No.1, combining sharp reflexes with vocal leadership.
Defence:
With Abdukodir Khusanov still recovering fitness, Matheus Nunes could again feature at right-back after impressing in recent outings. The central pairing of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol remains rock-solid, while Nico O’Reilly continues to thrive at left-back following his impressive recent performances. Though Rayan Aït-Nouri is nearing a return, O’Reilly’s form makes him difficult to displace.
Midfield:
With Rodri unlikely to be risked, Nico Gonzalez is tipped to anchor midfield once more. His composure and defensive discipline have been standout features since stepping in against Brentford. Ahead of him, Tijjani Reijnders provides energy and creativity after an excellent international break, while Phil Foden is expected to operate centrally after sitting out England duty under Thomas Tuchel — fresh and ready to make an impact.
Attack:
On the wings, Savinho is expected to start on the right flank, with Jeremy Doku continuing on the left. Both wingers bring explosive pace and dribbling flair, crucial for breaking down Everton’s compact defence. Up front, Erling Haaland leads the line once again, chasing a 12th consecutive scoring match across all competitions. The Norwegian was given an early return from international duty, allowing valuable rest before this fixture.
City’s tactical structure is expected to remain unchanged — Guardiola’s mantra of “don’t fix what’s not broken” fully applies as the champions aim to maintain rhythm and control heading into a busy run of fixtures.
Predicted Starting XI:
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Nico, Reijnders, Foden; Savinho, Haaland, Doku.
Substitutes:
Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Ake, Aït-Nouri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Cherki, Bobb.
FAQ
- Is Jack Grealish playing against Manchester City?
No. Grealish is ineligible to face City due to Premier League loan regulations.
- Will Rodri feature this weekend?
Rodri’s participation remains doubtful following his recent hamstring injury. Nico Gonzalez is expected to deputize again.
- Who will start in goal for Manchester City?
Gianluigi Donnarumma remains Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper and will start against Everton.
- What formation will City use?
Guardiola is expected to maintain his familiar 4-3-3 system, emphasizing possession control and attacking fluidity.
- Who are the key players to watch?
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Phil Foden will be central to City’s attacking efforts, while Nico Gonzalez anchors the midfield in Rodri’s absence.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s predicted line-up against Everton highlights both stability and strength in depth. With Haaland in record-breaking form and key players returning from injury, Guardiola’s side enter the fixture with renewed confidence. While Rodri’s absence may alter midfield balance, City’s structure and attacking quality should be more than enough to secure another vital three points at the Etihad.
