Chris Sutton predicts scoreline when Manchester City head to Everton

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Manchester City will look to get back into the Premier League’s top four when they head to Everton on Saturday.

Manchester City go into their 3pm kick-off at Goodison Park on the back of a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace, which they achieved after going two goals down early on.

Indeed, Gary Lineker said he felt Manchester City looked like they were playing close to their best for the first time this season.

Pep Guardiola’s charges take on an Everton side effectively safe in the Premier League and likely to enter the Bramley-Moore Dock era in the top flight.

Chris Sutton has now predicted how he feels City will fare when they play at Goodison Park for the last time.

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Chris Sutton backs Manchester City to win 2-1 at Everton

Sutton said this game would be hard to call and much would depend on whether City get going or not.

The pundit believes Everton will get a goal, with Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure set to pose a threat, but backed City to win 2-1 in the end.

“I am at this game for Radio 5 Live and am looking forward to it. It is so hard to call, because of where both teams are at,” Sutton wrote on BBC Sport.

“Everton will work hard, of course, but they are also very capable of winning this if they are as ‘in your face’ as they can be, and upset City’s rhythm.

“If Pep Guardiola’s side play like they did against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago, and don’t really get going, then they are going to get turned over.

“On the other hand, City really caught fire after almost going 3-0 down against Palace last week.

“If they play like that, they will win – but you are never quite sure what you are going to get from them in each half at the moment, let alone game to game.

“So, it is hard to know how the game will pan out. Everton will not be overly expansive or bothered about possession and will pick their moments when they throw Abdoulaye Doucoure forward.

“They will be direct and Beto will run in behind, and I definitely see them scoring, but I am still going with City to edge this, somehow.

“They have to, really, because they are under pressure to make the top five.”

Manchester City team news v Everton

City goalkeeper Ederson aggravated a groin issue against Palace and has undergone scans to determine the extent of the injury.

He could join Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Phil Foden is nursing a knock and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

As for Everton, Jesper Lindstrom is out for the rest of the season after having had a hernia operation.

He joins Orel Mangala and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the sidelines.