DATE: 16/03/13
KICK OFF: 12.45pm
VENUE: Goodison Park
PREDICTION: 0-2
Preview
There's a point in every season when City are forced to visit their least favourite Premiership ground of all; Goodison Park, home of the 'bogey side'.
However, Mancini's men travel to Merseyside in the wake of their emphatic 5-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Barnsley and face an Everton team still sore from their surprise cup exit.
Moyes' men were stunned by an ever-unpredictable Wigan side who fired 3 times in 3 minutes. Star man Maroune Fellaini gave one of his worst performances yet in an Everton shirt and was substituted early on in the game, much to the disapproval of the home crowd. Despite their cup disappointment, the Toffees are experts in frustrating the sky blues and boast an impressive record against them. Out of the cup and still chasing European football, Fellaini and co. will fancy themselves against the Citizens on Saturday.
Carlos Tevez continues to impress for the blues and will need to maintain his recent run of form especially in the wake of Sergio Aguero's knee injury. The Argentine has fired 5 times in 3 games making him City's lead scorer in all competitions with 15 goals. Despite the 12 point gap at the top of the table, City's stars continue to express their optimism in catching United; Gael Clichy the latest to big up the Citizen's title hopes.
Everton's recent misfortune will make for a firey atmosphere at Goodison on Saturday, but with the pressure off, Tevez and co. should defeat their Goodison blues and record yet another win.
Line-Up
Mancini expects injured stars Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero to return within two weeks, meaning they'll definitely miss the trip to Goodison.
Dzeko's below par display against Championship relegation fighters Barnsley should tempt Mancini into a 4-5-1 formation with Tevez leading the line. Nastasic is expected to team up with Kolo Toure again in the centre of defence.
Samir Nasri may not have done enough to convince his manager that he is the right man to partner David Silva and Yaya Toure in City's attacking section of midfield and James Milner may be more suited to the game. Barry and Garcia are expected to sit in front of the defence.
Head to Head
City's poor record at Goodison Park is well documented and Mancini's men have not won there since 25th April 2009.
The Toffees have been victorious 6 times out of 8 on home soil against City and in 79 home games since the Premier League began, the merseysider's have recorded 41 wins.
Although many are tipping Moye's men to bounce back from their FA Cup exit and grab yet another win against the blues, I'm backing to City to bag an unlikely win.
Key Men
Marouane Fellaini
Carlos Tevez continues to impress for the blues and will need to maintain his recent run of form especially in the wake of Sergio Aguero's knee injury. The Argentine has fired 5 times in 3 games making him City's lead scorer in all competitions with 15 goals. Despite the 12 point gap at the top of the table, City's stars continue to express their optimism in catching United; Gael Clichy the latest to big up the Citizen's title hopes.
Everton's recent misfortune will make for a firey atmosphere at Goodison on Saturday, but with the pressure off, Tevez and co. should defeat their Goodison blues and record yet another win.
Line-Up
Mancini expects injured stars Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero to return within two weeks, meaning they'll definitely miss the trip to Goodison.
Dzeko's below par display against Championship relegation fighters Barnsley should tempt Mancini into a 4-5-1 formation with Tevez leading the line. Nastasic is expected to team up with Kolo Toure again in the centre of defence.
Samir Nasri may not have done enough to convince his manager that he is the right man to partner David Silva and Yaya Toure in City's attacking section of midfield and James Milner may be more suited to the game. Barry and Garcia are expected to sit in front of the defence.
Head to Head
City's poor record at Goodison Park is well documented and Mancini's men have not won there since 25th April 2009.
The Toffees have been victorious 6 times out of 8 on home soil against City and in 79 home games since the Premier League began, the merseysider's have recorded 41 wins.
Although many are tipping Moye's men to bounce back from their FA Cup exit and grab yet another win against the blues, I'm backing to City to bag an unlikely win.
Key Men
Marouane Fellaini
Despite his poor performance in Everton's FA Cup defeat to Wigan, Fellaini's height and power will be the Toffee's main threat on Saturday. The fans will be hoping for another dominant performance and I'd expect Fellaini to cause City a few problems.
Carlos Tevez
Carlos Tevez
If City are to pull off a miraculous title comeback, Tevez will be instrumental. His excellent work rate allows him to lead the line on his own and with 5 goals in his last 3 games, Tevez will be City's main weapon on Saturday.
Fantasy Premier League Leaders
Marouane Fellaini 143 points
Leighton Baines 125 points
Steven Pienaar 113 points
Carlos Tevez 139 points
David Silva 118 points
Joe Hart 114 points
Top Scorers
Marouane Fellaini
12
Carlos Tevez
15
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