Manchester City vs. Everton: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Manchester City will be looking to continue their fine run of recent results when they host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have won their last three domestic games, and in Sergio Aguero, they have arguably the finest player on the planet at the moment.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

By contrast, the Toffees are enduring a topsy-turvy season. After a fine 2-0 win in Wolfsburg last week Roberto Martinez’s men looked to be finally getting their act together, but just one point from a game at Tottenham Hotspur and a home clash with Hull City have left the Everton faithful feeling a little underwhelmed after Martinez’s excellent first season in charge.

Clashes between these two sides have always made for intriguing occasions in years gone by, however, and given the attacking swagger with which the pair play, expect another fascinating 90 minutes.

Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the game and a detailed look at the fortunes of both sides going into this one.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 6

Time: 5:30 p.m. GMT/12:30 p.m. ET

Live Stream: Sky Go (US), NBC Sports Live Extra (US)

TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBC (US)

Likely Line-Ups

Bleacher Report

Preview 

Everton turned in arguably their worst performance of the Martinez era at home to Hull in midweek. There was no cohesion, no fluidity and no bite to the Toffees’ play; in the end, Steve Bruce’s side will consider themselves unlucky not to have come away from Goodison Park with all three points.

But in a funny, roundabout way, this is a game that could suit the Merseysiders. Everton have been at their best this season when hitting teams on the break—exemplified best by that win in Wolfsburg—and utilising the dynamic attacking talents of Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku. 

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

The latter of the aforementioned trio is starting to find his form after a difficult spell on the back of his £28 million move from Chelsea.

The burly Belgian has seven goals in all competitions this season, and while some have been critical of him since his big-money move, Lukaku is a player who showcases a perpetual knack for forensic finishing, per Squawka:

But you suspect Everton’s No. 10—just like the rest of us—will have been in awe of the recent exploits of Aguero, who has lit up the Premier League with a scintillating string of displays. Sky Sports HQ gave us an indication of just how prolific the Argentina forward has been since he swapped Madrid for Manchester:

WhoScored.com compared the two forwards ahead of this game, and naturally it’s Aguero who comes out on top:

WhoScored.com

While all eyes will be on the genial Argentine on the cusp of this one, this is a match that could well be won in defence.

And when you consider Everton’s recent plight in that area, it’s difficult to see just how the visitors are going to contain the dazzling movement and ruthless finishing of City’s No. 16.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Tim Howard’s form has been a big concern for Everton in particular. The American has endured a torrid season on the back of a fine World Cup, and after errors in the recent games with Spurs and Hull, his confidence is likely to be at an all-time low.

The Toffees boss doesn’t seem to share the same concerns as some fans, however, per Greg O’Keeffe of the Liverpool Echo:

Everton will look to spring from deep against City, but whether they have the diligence within their defensive ranks to keep out the home side’s effervescent attacking talents remains to be seen. With Vincent Kompany absent for this one, the Toffees should have enough to cause the home side problems of their own.

But galvanised by the sensational exploits of Aguero, it’s difficult to see anything other than a City victory.

Pellegrini needs to be careful that some complacency doesn’t creep into their play with that massive Champions League clash with Roma looming large, and if his team preserve the levels of focus that have been on display in recent weeks, they should run out winners.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Everton