Manchester City are looking for just their second win since early November when they host Everton in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Cityzens suffered more misery on Saturday lunchtime well beaten by a determined Aston Villacondemning Pep Guardiola to a ninth defeat in his last 12 games in all competitions. It is an unprecedented series of bad results for the world’s best coach.
Guardiola replied gloomily to questions about how Man City plan to turn things around after the weekend defeat, suggesting his side simply have to wait for injured players to return to full fitness. The current champions are currently without Ruben Dias and Rodrigo, while Ederson and John Stones are among the doubts for the clash with Everton.
Here’s how Guardiola could line up his side on Thursday.
GK: Stefan Ortega – Ederson’s injury absence at the weekend saw Ortega return between the sticks. The German did not do much wrong in the defeat at Villa Park, he even made several impressive saves against the hosts.
CB: Kyle Walker – Stones latest injury setback and the absence of Dias for the next few weeks means that Guardiola will have to be creative with his defense once again. He seems to favor a 3-2-4-1 formation when his side are in possession, with Walker potentially acting as a defensive sweeper on Thursday.
CB: Manuel Akanji – The Swiss defender was not offered much support against Villa and looked isolated as a result. He doesn’t offer quite the same solidity as Dias, but he still provides much-needed quality at the heart of the defence.
CB: Nathan Ake – Ake returned to the bench this weekend after a recent injury and Josko Guardiola’s poor form could see the Dutchman return to the starting XI against Everton.
DM: Rico Lewis – The hybrid role in which Lewis operates has not always proved successful in recent weeks, but Guardiola has continued to show faith in the 20-year-old. He should operate in defensive midfield when Man City they have the ball, they throw themselves at the defender when they lose it.
DM: Mateo Kovačić – No one can replace Rodrigo in this Man City team, but Kovacic provides the greatest defensive security in the engine room. The return of the Croat to the starting line-up did not change the fate of his team against Villa.
RM: Savinho – The Brazilian has been relegated to the bench for the last three games, but his explosive pace and willingness to run straight at defenders could prove key to breaking down Everton’s stubborn low block.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – De Bruyne was surprisingly an unused substitute on Saturday despite Man City desperately needing his brilliance. Guardiola cannot afford to rest the Belgian on Boxing Day as his side slide further into the abyss.
CM: Phil Foden – Foden scored first Premier League goal of the campaign with a late consolation at Villa Park, but player of the season 2023/24. he is still far from his magical best.
LM: Jeremy Doku – Similar to Savinho on the other flank, Doku’s speed and tenacity could be key in unlocking Everton’s defence. In the last two matches, the Toffees kept clean sheets away from Arsenal and at home against Chelsea.
ST: Erling Haaland – The towering Norwegian has scored just once in his last six matches – a terrible run by his lofty standards. He had just 18 touches and one shot against Villa as Man City struggle to feed him.
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