Man City are the best team in England right now and they will be hoping to win the famed treble this season. And a big step towards that will be achieved if they can beat Everton in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
City have won their last six meetings with Everton in the Premier League and Guardiola’s men will go into this match as the huge favourites, more so since the Toffees has lost their previous two league matches.
Man City have won 13 of their last 14 matches in the FA Cup plus the manager has no injuries to deal but he is still expected to make a few changes to his starting line-up which took the field in the Champions League match earlier this week.
The Citizens beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park last month in the league and on top of that, Ancelotti’s side have not been in great form at home either, losing five matches already this year.
Man City team news vs Everton:
The defensive line should see a reshuffle from the Champions League game with both John Stones and Ruben Dias expected to be rested. Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte are likely to come into the side.
Joao Cancelo should also move to the bench to allow Benjamin Mendy to play as the left-back on Saturday while Walker retains his role as the other full-back.
Kevin De Bruyne scored the first goal for City vs Monchengladbach in midweek but he will be given a break with Bernardo Silva expected to feature in midfield. Phil Foden, who played as a winger in midweek could also feature in midfield.
Gundogan and Rodri are both likely to retain their place in the starting line-up on Saturday.
Riyad Mahrez was the star of the show in the Champions League game for Man City and he is a guaranteed starter on the right wing. But the other two forward positions are up for grabs this weekend.
Sergio Aguero came off the bench in midweek but the Argentine is expected to get a rare start up-front at Goodison Park.
Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling both started on the bench against Monchengladbach but one of them will start on the left wing vs Everton. Some reports claim that Jesus is going to be that man but given the strength of Everton at the back, we have a feeling Guardiola will go ahead with Sterling.
Man City’s predicted XI vs Everton:
Predicted Starting Line-up: Ederson; Eric Garcia, Laporte, Mendy, Walker; Bernardo Silva, Gundogan/Foden, Rodri; Aguero, Riayd Mahrez, Jesus/Sterling.
Stats via Whoscored.
