Everton vs. Manchester City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Everton will be looking to avoid a fifth consecutive league defeat when Premier League football returns this weekend, but it’ll be an exceptionally tough task for Roberto Martinez’s side as they welcome champions Manchester City to Goodison Park.
It’s a venue that has been a tough place to visit for City down the years, but given the Toffees’ current predicament, it’s a game Manuel Pellegrini and his team will surely relish.
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After Chelsea’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their previous Premier League outing, expect a focused and diligent performance from the Citizens, who are firmly in the title race.
The Merseysiders will have to improve massively if they’re to get a positive result here, but having won four of the last five meetings between the two teams at Goodison, perhaps there’s a glimmer of hope for Martinez’s men.
Here’s all the information you need on where to catch this one and a closer look at the fortunes of both sides on the cusp of this game.
Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Time: 3 p.m. (GMT)/10 a.m. (ET)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (US)
TV Info: NBC Sports (US)
Toffees Hoping to Stop the Rot
Five defeats on the spin would represent Everton’s worst run of form for almost a decade, and although they turned in an improved display in the FA Cup in midweek, there is still a long way for this team to go if they’re to recapture the form of last season.
But this might be the kind of game the Toffees need to awaken themselves from a mid-season lull.
In recent weeks, the team has looked flat and the fans have been in a prolonged state of melancholy, but with City rocking up at Goodison Park, that will surely change and we should see a performance bristling with added initiative from the Merseysiders.
Indeed, the late goal against West Ham United in midweek could prove to be a big moment for Everton, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Matt Cheetham:
"Really good showing from Lukaku. Deserved goal and equaliser. Would have been positives for Everton in defeat but goal provides a big lift.
— Matt Cheetham (@Matt_Cheetham) January 6, 2015"
Romelu Lukaku was noticeably delighted after that strike, and he turned in his best performance of the campaign against the Hammers. As noted by Peter McPartland of The Blue Room, it was a very encouraging display from the Belgian forward:
"Lukaku looking every bit of the player we know he can be
— Peter Mcpartland (@PED7) January 6, 2015"
The burly front man will be hoping to capitalise on a City team that has looked a little vulnerable themselves as of late.
Unconvincing home performances against Burnley, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday will be a concern to Manuel Pellegrini, and he’ll be hoping a game away from the Etihad Stadium against perceivably stronger opposition will help sharpen the focus of his team.
In David Silva, they have a player in red-hot form, though. The Spanish playmaker has been wonderful in recent weeks, and as we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, he’s long been a major creative force for City:
The champions have the firepower to cause this ropey Everton defence real problems in this one, and subsequently it’s difficult to see any result other than a win for the champions.
Indeed, as noted by Squawka Football, Martinez’s side don’t help themselves at times:
Stranger things have happened, however, and the Toffees will be encouraged by the excellent record they have at Goodison Park in recent clashes.
But City will surely capitalise on the hesitancy that has gripped this Everton back line so far this season, leaving the hosts staring down the barrel of another defeat and looking nervously over their shoulder.
Prediction: Everton 1-3 Manchester City
