Join us for all the Everton team news and buildup towards their big Premier League clash with Manchester City, then stick around for live updates during the game.
We hope Everton fans have enjoyed the start to the season, with four straight competitive wins (and clean sheets). Things are about to get slightly more challenging, with three away games in seven days.
While it’s still early, we could well get an idea of where this season is headed for the Blues, when the final whistle blows at Stamford Bridge next Sunday. First things first though, there is the small matter of contending with a trip to the Etihad Stadium, to face Manchester City.
Unsurprisingly, Man City are favoured to win, with a draw being the second most likely outcome. You can click here, to review all the latest odds via Sports Book Review.
Even Ronald Koeman admits his team faces a tough task. As reported by The Guardian‘s Andy Hunter, the Blues manager said: “If we get a clean sheet on Monday I don’t know if it will be a miracle.”
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Having said that, there is little denying Everton’s defence has been strengthened since last season. Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane have been as good as advertised, while Cuco Martina has justified Koeman’s faith in him, after a shaky pre-season.
In any event, sit back and relax/nervously perch yourself on the edge of your seat, as we bring you all the team news and buildup, in the countdown towards kickoff at 8:00 pm. And once the action begins, stick with us for live updates:
(Refresh this page by pressing F5 periodically)
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15:30 – Stat attack 2:
Man City have never lost their opening home game of the Premier League season, with a record of 13 wins and seven draws. This includes winning their last 10 home openers.
15:00 – Stat attack:
We should almost expect Rooney to be included in this section for every game. If he scores versus Man City, he will be just the second player to score 200 Premier League goals, joining a certain Alan Shearer.
14:30 – Record versus Manchester City:
Last season, the Blues did remarkably well versus Man City, taking four from a possible six points. Of more relevance for Monday night, they managed a 1-1 draw in their last visit to the Etihad Stadium.
BBC Sport sounds a warning for Evertonians to heed. The Blues have not won an away league game since Jan. 21, losing four of their eight games since.
14:00 – Substitutes:
Further to our predicted starting lineup, we think the subs bench will include the following players:
Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Holgate, Mirallas, Sigrudsson, Calvert-Lewin, Ramirez
13:30 – Gylfi Sigruddson:
Koeman has said he will give Sigurddson every chance to prove his fitness, even though he has only seen 45 minutes of action during the pre-season, for Swansea City.
However, even if the winger is passed fit, he will likely only play one half. If this happens, we like the idea of bringing him on after half-time, to provide a boost for the Blues. (Of course, this strategy could backfire, if Everton are facing a significant deficit after the first half.)
13:00 – Predicted starting XI:
Here is our projected lineup, which will likely play in a 4-3-3 formation:
Pickford (GK) – Baines (LB), Keane (CB), Williams (CB), Martina (RB) – Schneiderlin (LM), Gueye (CM), Davies (RM) – Lookman (FW), Rooney (ST), Klaassen (FW)
12:30 – Manchester City injury news:
City will reportedly be without Samir Nasri, Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph for Monday night. There are also doubts surrounding Ilkay Gundogan, although he could be in line to see his first action in eight months.
12:00 – Weather:
Decent conditions expected for tonight’s game. It will be around 19 degrees at kickoff. It will also be cloudy, with just a 10 percent chance of rain.
11:30 – Referee:
Bobby Madley will referee tonight. He was promoted to to the list of Select Group Referees in 2013 and, at 31, is one of the youngest officials to hold this position.
We could be in for an eventful evening, if Madley’s start to the season is anything to go by. In just two games, he has already handed out a red card and eight yellows.
11:00 – Injury news:
The Toffees will definitely be without four players: Seamus Coleman (broken leg), Yannick Bolasie (knee), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee) and Ross Barkley (hamstring).
There are also doubts over the fitness of Sandro Ramirez (heel) and James McCarthy (knee). Of the two, Ramirez is more likely to feature at some point.
Next: Blues' predicted lineup vs. Man City
What kind of game are you expecting on Monday night? What do you predict the final outcome will be and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.