The champions of England and Europe is in crisis. Just one win in the last six Premier League games for Manchester City. Winning the Club World Cup and a convincing victory against Fluminense in the showpiece lifted the mood at the Etihad. Liverpool’s lead is eight points, but Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand against the Anfield leaders.At Goodison tonight, Everton welcome the Cityzens, for whom every point is worth its weight in gold until the end of the season. The Toffees will fight frantically for survival – Luton are threatening, with only a point less than the team from Liverpool, which are in trouble due to 10 points deducted by the Football Association of England.City have as many as three away defeats, while Everton have won two tied matches at their stadium. Newcastle and Chelsea fell – without a goal conceded by Sean Dyche’s team.The reason behind Fail-sea? No classic striker, the most missed chances, the underperforming signings…Guardiola did not have too many problems with injuries in the first part of the season. Apart from Kevin de Bruyne, there were no absentees. Now, the situation is somewhat less favorable. Rodri, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and the mentioned Belgian midfielder are complaining about their injuries. All four are questionable and one of them could miss the duel in the neighboring city of Liverpool.The trophy-winning Spanish specialist spent Christmas with his family in Barcelona before returning to England. Although he described himself as satisfied after lifting the Club World Cup trophy, it seems he cannot be happy with the first portion of the Premier League.##EDITORS_CHOICE##”I have the feeling that the job is done, we have all the trophies. I never think at the beginning of the season, when I come for the pre-season, how many titles we will win. Never, ever! That’s a terrible approach. Now – there is nothing else but Goodison Park in our minds. The greatest athletes have to forget success as soon as possible. Another competition is around the corner,” said Guardiola.Everton cannot count on two important players, Abdoulaye Doucoure, who recently suffered a muscle injury, and Idrissa Gueye, who had to leave the field in Saturday’s match in London against Tottenham. The chances of them playing are minimal, so Andre Gomes will have his first start of the season. Dele Alli is injured, he will not be in the team.Last season, the Cityzens defeated the hosts at Goodison 3-0, but made a setback at home against the Toffees – 1-1. Man City have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Liverpool Blues.Can Manchester City replicate their impressive run of form from last season to retain their Premier League crown? 💭🏆 pic.twitter.com/kxJCfDm9YD— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 26, 2023 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 19TuesdayNewcastle – Nott.Forest 1-3 (1-1)/Isak 24 pen – Wood 45+1, 53, 60/Bournemouth – Fulham 3-0 (1-0)/Kluivert 44, Solanke 62 pen, Sinisterra 90+3/Sheffield Utd – Luton 2-3 (0-1)/McBurnie 61, Ahmedhodzic 69 – Doughty 17, Robinson 77 og, Ben Slimane 81 og/Burnley – Liverpool 0-2 (0-1)/Darwin 6, Elliott 90/Man Utd – Aston Villa 3-2 (0-2)/Garnacho 60, 72, Hojlund 82 – McGinn 21, Dendoncker 26/Wednesday22:30: (2.05) Brentford (3.50) Wolverhampton (3.90)22:30: (1.80) Chelsea (3.70) Crystal Palace (5.00)23:15: (6.25) Everton (4.10) Man.City (1.62)Thursday22:30: (2.75) Brighton (3.60) Tottenham (2.60)23:15: (1.37) Arsenal (5.20) West Ham (10.0)***odds are subject to change***
