ShareMicah Richards could return to the Manchester City squad for Saturday's trip to Everton. The full-back has been missing for six weeks with a hamstring injury but manager Roberto Mancini is ready to hand Richards a place on the bench. Head boy: Richards (centre) will hope to play a part in securing Champions League football for City Pablo Zabaleta and Nigel de Jong have recovered from minor knocks but Carlos Tevez (hamstring) is not expected to be involved as the Blues close in on a Champions League spot. Team (from): Hart, Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Boyata, Wright-Phillips, Y Toure, De Jong, Vieira Milner, Barry, Johnson, Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli, Jo, McGivern. CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKEND TEAM NEWS IN THE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Explore more:People: Carlos Tevez, Roberto Mancini
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Everton vs Manchester City Preview
After another step in the right direction last weekend, Everton will be looking to continue their good run of performances against Manchester City this Saturday evening. Despite another much improved performance, we could only muster another draw last weekend and Evertonians will be hoping to hit the winning trail again with three points against high flying City.
Roberto Mancini's men continued their improvement since the appointment of the Italian with a 4-1 demolition of Blackburn last weekend which included a hat-trick from the in-form Carlos Tevez.
Vital Quotes:
All the pre-match build up has been dominated by the surprise sale of makeshift centre back Lucas Neill to Galatasary. Whilst Lucas is technically available for Saturday's game, it remains to be seen if he will start or if the returning Sylvain Distin will take his place in the starting line up. In the pre-match press conference Moyes was slightly coy on who would fill the starting centre back role:
"Lucas will be here tomorrow and possibly play tomorrow so his deal is not completely finalised albeit we have agreed terms and Lucas has agreed terms."
He offered up a similar answer when asked on Distin's chances of playing on Saturday:
'Sylvain is close and I would say he is the one who has the best chance of being involved against Manchester City at the moment"
It isn't clear as to what he's referring to when saying he has the 'best chance' though. I'm assuming he is comparing him to the other injured players but it could be a reference to Lucas Neill.
Everton Team News:
Well as stated above, Sylvain Distin returned to training this week and looks likely to at least be in the matchday squad. Lucas Neill is available despite agreeing a transfer to Galatasary. Joseph Yobo and Yakubu are away at the African Cup of Nations. Tony Hibbert is a fresh injury absentee as he will be out for a month recovering from hernia surgery. Arteta, Jags, Anichebe and Rodwell are all still unavailable for selection due to injury. Landon Donovan is likely to make his home debut.
Player to watch: Marouane Fellaini
Marouane has been on fire for the last month or so since returning to a defensive midfield position and he will have to be on top form again if we have any aspirations to win the game. He will have to be at his best to keep Tevez at bay when he drops deeper to receive the ball. However , going forward, he obviously offers a real danger from set pieces against a relatively small Man City side.
Manchester City Team News:
Adebayor, Bridge, Ireland, Johnson, Lescott, Toure and Vieira are all out through either injury or ACON.
Robinho, Onuoha and Santa Cruz are doubtful through injury.
Player to watch: Carlos Tevez
How could it be anyone else really? He's up to 15 goals for the season and scored a couple of belters against Blackburn. The Everton defence can not afford to give him a moments rest otherwise he will punish you.
Match Facts & Stats
Traditionally Everton have done well at home to City, however the same fixture last season did result in a 2-1 victory to City.
Louis Saha remains Everton's top scorer so far this season with 12 in all competitions. Tevez is City's with 15 goals in all.
Man City have won all five of their last five games. Everton have won two and drawn three.
Match Prediction:
2-1 to Everton If we perform as we did against Arsenal and not give Man City a chance to settle then there's every chance we will win more comfortably but City are on a real high at the moment, as any team that had just sacked Mark Hughes would be! So I think it will be a tightly contested game but I feel home advantage will sway it in our favour.
Check out the forum! There are 2 members viewing right now.
Click here to join in!
Everton vs Manchester City Preview
After another step in the right direction last weekend, Everton will be looking to continue their good run of performances against Manchester City this Saturday evening. Despite another much improved performance, we could only muster another draw last weekend and Evertonians will be hoping to hit the winning trail again with three points against high flying City.
Roberto Mancini's men continued their improvement since the appointment of the Italian with a 4-1 demolition of Blackburn last weekend which included a hat-trick from the in-form Carlos Tevez.
Vital Quotes:
All the pre-match build up has been dominated by the surprise sale of makeshift centre back Lucas Neill to Galatasary. Whilst Lucas is technically available for Saturday's game, it remains to be seen if he will start or if the returning Sylvain Distin will take his place in the starting line up. In the pre-match press conference Moyes was slightly coy on who would fill the starting centre back role:
"Lucas will be here tomorrow and possibly play tomorrow so his deal is not completely finalised albeit we have agreed terms and Lucas has agreed terms."
He offered up a similar answer when asked on Distin's chances of playing on Saturday:
'Sylvain is close and I would say he is the one who has the best chance of being involved against Manchester City at the moment"
It isn't clear as to what he's referring to when saying he has the 'best chance' though. I'm assuming he is comparing him to the other injured players but it could be a reference to Lucas Neill.
Everton Team News:
Well as stated above, Sylvain Distin returned to training this week and looks likely to at least be in the matchday squad. Lucas Neill is available despite agreeing a transfer to Galatasary. Joseph Yobo and Yakubu are away at the African Cup of Nations. Tony Hibbert is a fresh injury absentee as he will be out for a month recovering from hernia surgery. Arteta, Jags, Anichebe and Rodwell are all still unavailable for selection due to injury. Landon Donovan is likely to make his home debut.
Player to watch: Marouane Fellaini
Marouane has been on fire for the last month or so since returning to a defensive midfield position and he will have to be on top form again if we have any aspirations to win the game. He will have to be at his best to keep Tevez at bay when he drops deeper to receive the ball. However , going forward, he obviously offers a real danger from set pieces against a relatively small Man City side.
Manchester City Team News:
Adebayor, Bridge, Ireland, Johnson, Lescott, Toure and Vieira are all out through either injury or ACON.
Robinho, Onuoha and Santa Cruz are doubtful through injury.
Player to watch: Carlos Tevez
How could it be anyone else really? He's up to 15 goals for the season and scored a couple of belters against Blackburn. The Everton defence can not afford to give him a moments rest otherwise he will punish you.
Match Facts & Stats
Traditionally Everton have done well at home to City, however the same fixture last season did result in a 2-1 victory to City.
Louis Saha remains Everton's top scorer so far this season with 12 in all competitions. Tevez is City's with 15 goals in all.
Man City have won all five of their last five games. Everton have won two and drawn three.
Match Prediction:
2-1 to Everton If we perform as we did against Arsenal and not give Man City a chance to settle then there's every chance we will win more comfortably but City are on a real high at the moment, as any team that had just sacked Mark Hughes would be! So I think it will be a tightly contested game but I feel home advantage will sway it in our favour.
