Everton v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
2 May
Matija Nastasic has finally returned to training after a mysteriously lengthy absence with injury, but he’s a long way from match fitness and it is doubtful we’ll see him a City shirt again this season. In the seemingly never-ending left-back rotation, Gael Clichy is likely to get the nod at Goodison, with Aleks Kolarov dropping to the bench.
Javi Garcia started the last match against Crystal Palace as Fernandinho was rested, and there will no doubt be the temptation to keep faith with the same midfield which comfortably eased to the three points, but the Brazilian has undoubtedly been one of the players of the season this campaign and must be a sure bet to be drafted back in. Thrillingly, David Silva has recovered and will take his place, with the main dilemma being whether to include James Milner as extra security or whether to start with two up front.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Lee Probert.
Prediction: Everton 1 - 2 MAN CITY – Something, somewhere is telling me not to worry because despite our recent record away to Everton – abysmal to say the least – I have a feeling we might just do it on Saturday. David Moyes sent his side out snarling and biting and ferocious in their desire to defeat us, but Roberto Martinez’s more attractive, open approach may suit us more. It’ll be a tough game, of course, but with the home side missing the influential and criminally underrated Gareth Barry, there might just be those pockets of space for David Silva to exploit. I’m predicting goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and Ross Barkley.
Everton 0 vs man city 3
Each and every City fan is predicting the match to end 1-2 in City’s favour , me too
I am gonna bet on that!
Its almost worrying how confident everyone is, football bites you in the arse at times so im sitting on the fence for this one
Fortunately for you BB, unlike you I’m not sitting on the fence. At 20 stone, in my socks, you wouldn’t be on it for long
The following won’t happen, because it isn’t in the Engineer’s DNA to do it but, for this game only, I would play Garcia, Yaya and Fernandinho. Nobody will ever get VfaB to accept that Garcia is anything other than a waste of space but, increasingly, his value in a disciplined role protecting the centre halves is being appreciated elsewhere. He allows Fernandinho, a man with pace and energy to spare, more freedom to roam and Yaya the opportunity to get forward without exposing the defence to the counter to a degree that has become ‘usual’and heart stopping at times.
My reasoning for this is pretty much based on the form of the much malighed pair of Garcia and Demichelis. Since his high profile cockup aganst Messi, Martin Demichelis has been excellent, shackling the likes of Suarez and giving none of his opponents much of a kick. I don’t think he will be troubled by Lukaku and, whilst they have other outlets, Lukaku is the greatest danger. Demichelis also carries the ball out of defence beautifully, has great vision and always seems to be able to find a pass. Garcia plays the sweeping role in a competent, efficient manner and almost without exception finds a blue shirt. He doesn’t try to be a genius playmaker, he just passes the ball along to one of the ones that is, and improves the general defensive demeanour and mindset. Play these two and you almost guarantee a clean sheet, and today a clean sheet will almost certainly see us finish with 3 points.
………..Hart………..
Zaba..Vince..Demic..Clichy
……Garcia..Fernie……
…Nasri..Yaya..Silva…..
……..Aguerooooo……..
We’re much more likely to see VfaB’s team selection though, and that is a very fine side.
Everton 1 v 2 City
Alph