Manchester City return home after their 2-0 victory over Brighton last weekend as they set out on their quest to land the Premier League title. They looked very good last weekend, and have a good home record that is going to make this tough for Everton. After playing a lot of competitive football, Everton find themselves in a much better position that anyone else, and will be fit and raring to go.
Premier League – Monday 21st August – 20:00
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Draw Best Odd of: 19/4 at Ladbrokes |
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Manchester City
EvertonEverton have spent a lot of money this summer and look like the one team who may be able to break into the top six. Beating the top six is vital to that, and although this represents a tough game, anything they can get from it will be welcome.
Manchester City Form
Manchester City looked as good as ever last weekend at Brighton in what was a difficult game for them. Playing away against a newly promoted team is not ideal on the opening day but they handled it well and let their class tell in the end. Brighton defended very well in parts, but eventually Manchester City found a way through to win the game 2-0.
With a whole host of teams looking like they could win the Premier League, having a good start to the season will be very important. City will be hoping for that, to give them an advantage over their other rivals. Should Chelsea lose to Tottenham this weekend then they would find themselves six points behind Tottenham, and Manchester City would also have the chance to go six points clear, as would other teams.
Everton Form
Everton began their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 home victory against Stoke. The story of that game was Wayne Rooney, who scored the winner on his Premier League return for the club he began life with as a boy. Rooney and the other new signings have been able to settle quickly thanks to the Europa League games that Everton have played so far, this will be their 5th competitive game, compared to the second for Manchester City.
The money that Everton have spent should be enough to land them 7th place in the Premier League. They are going to struggle to crack the top six, who are well clear at the moment, but they are better than the rest and should claim 7th providing the Europa League doesn’t provide too many distractions. With Gylfi Sigurdsson to be added to the team, Everton are looking very promising.
Team News
There doesn’t appear to be any reason why Manchester City would change anything from last weekend. Sergio Aguero scored and he will lead the line again this season, with a vast array of creative attacking players behind him. I thought Aguero was excellent last weekend, and in this team he is going to get a lot of chances to score.
After an opening day goal, I am sure we will see Wayne Rooney in the Everton team, he will be desperate to impress on his first return to Manchester. The only changes I can see Everton making are if they have any players fatigued from their European game on Thursday night. They will also have one eye on the second leg, which takes place next Thursday and involves travelling to Croatia.
Top Betting Tips
Manchester City are one of the title favourites and it is not hard to see why when you look down their squad. They have improve their defence this season, and going forward they look as good as they have ever done. They are going to be fantastic to watch and will be hoping for a fast start to get ahead of their rivals in the race for the title.
Everton have been busy this summer and on the whole they have spent their money very well. They have added quality in every area of the pitch, and look like the team who can finish closest to the top six. However, despite that and despite their edge when it comes to match fitness, I still think they are going to struggle in this game.
I am going to back Manchester City to win the game, although with no value in the regular betting market I am going to find a correct score. I am going to back City to win 2-1, which is available at 17/2 with Ladbrokes. Everton have enough to score against Manchester City, but ultimately Manchester City will be able to pull through and win the game.