Manchester City will aim to move to the Premier League summit when they welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The two sides last met in April, when late goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic handed City a 2–0 win at Goodison Park.
Pep Guardiola’s men have regained form after early-season setbacks, entering this fixture on a seven-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. With Erling Haaland in ruthless form and the champions boasting the league’s best attack in 2025, City look determined to extend their dominance at home.
Pep Guardiola faces several selection concerns ahead of the weekend. Midfielder Rodri remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while defender Abdukodir Khusanov is still recovering from a calf issue. However, there’s positive news as Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri have returned to training and could feature.
Mateo Kovacic is also fit again after Achilles surgery, having played over an hour for Croatia during the international break. Rayan Cherki is available following a thigh injury but may start on the bench, with Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders expected to occupy creative roles behind Erling Haaland. Jeremy Doku could return to the starting lineup on the left flank.
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David Moyes’ Everton will be forced into changes, as on-loan attacker Jack Grealish cannot face his parent club. Defender Nathan Patterson picked up an injury with the Under-21s, while Michael Keane, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Merlin Röhl are fitness doubts.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returns from suspension and is set to operate in midfield behind either Beto or Thierno Barry, with Iliman Ndiaye shifting wide. Should Keane miss out, Jake O’Brien may partner James Tarkowski in central defence, while veteran Seamus Coleman could retain his place at right-back.
Manchester City enter this match as clear favourites and have the firepower to turn this game into a high-scoring affair. With Erling Haaland in prolific form and City averaging the league’s top scoring tally in 2025, there’s real potential for a dominant display. Everton historically struggle on the road, which could leave them exposed against a fluid attacking side. As such, the over 2.5 goals market at -150 looks backed by both quality and form dynamics in favour of the hosts.
Haaland has been the driving force behind Manchester City’s surge. He has already netted 21 goals over 12 appearances. Nine of those goals came in just seven league matches. That kind of consistency, combined with City’s attacking dominance and Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities away from home, make the anytime scorer line of -165 for Haaland a compelling proposition.
With Rodri out and Kovacic only recently returning, Reijnders is expected to play a more advanced creative role for City. Given his presence, stamina, and the attacking rotations Pep Guardiola often employs, he has a realistic chance to either contribute a goal or deliver a key assist. In a match where City may dominate possession and create opportunities, +150 for Reijnders to score or assist offers solid value.
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City’s seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions combined with their dominance at home against Everton offers a strong foundation for expecting a comfortable win. Everton’s struggles on the road and Haaland’s fine goalscoring record tip the balance heavily in Manchester City’s favor.
With Reijnders pushing forward and City’s midfield firing, a 3–0 outcome seems likely. Given City’s firepower, this result aligns with the expectation of over 2.5 goals, Haaland getting on the scoresheet, and the hosts controlling the match throughout.
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