Manchester City will aim to return to the top four of the Premier League when they head to Everton on Saturday.
Manchester City will be in high spirits going into the game at Goodison Park after coming back from two goals down to secure a 5-2 win over Crystal Palace last time out.
Pep Guardiola’s charges are up against an Everton side that David Moyes has pulled out of danger and currently sits 17 points clear of the bottom three.
Paul Merson has now shared his pre-match prediction ahead of the 3pm kick-off at Goodison Park, and he made quite a bold call over the result.
Paul Merson predicts 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Everton
Merson began by suggesting City were lucky not to go 3-0 down against Palace, which would have made it “game over”, before claiming the Citizens are in “no way” back to their best.
He also noted how Everton are currently in form and will want to give their fans a day to remember in what Merson has deemed “the last big game at Goodison Park.”
Merson concluded by predicting a 1-1 draw on Merseyside, which would harm City’s Champions League qualification hopes.
“This is a difficult game for Manchester City,” Merson wrote on Sportskeeda. “You look at their result last weekend and think, ‘wow, what an incredible comeback, from 2-0 down to 5-2 in the end!’.
“If Eberechi Eze had managed to stay onside in that game, it would have been 3-0 to Crystal Palace. And 3-0 at that stage would have been game over for City!
“I don’t think Manchester City are back to their best, no way. If Aston Villa win this weekend and City fail to beat Everton, Pep Guardiola’s men could drop further behind in the race to finish inside the top five.
“Let’s not forget that City also have to face Villa after this and in the space of just a few days, they could well and truly be out of the race to play Champions League next season.
“Everton are a team in form as well. They have scored in each of their last nine games except for that one loss to Liverpool – the only game they lost during this run.
“This is the last big game at Goodison Park before Everton move to their new stadium so the atmosphere will be cracking from the start.
“I expect City to face the heat on Merseyside. They are now in a position where we are not used to seeing them and I’m not entirely sure they can keep up with their rivals in the race to finish in the top five.”
Manchester City team news v Everton
City are likely to be without goalkeeper Ederson, who aggravated a groin issue against Palace.
The Brazil international has undergone scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Everton 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.
The Napoli loanee joins Orel Mangala and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the sidelines.
