Lee Dixon: Confident City to eke out a slim win over Everton

 

The season hasn't quite gone to plan for Manchester City but they are hitting their stride at the right time while Everton have begun to slip - back the visitors, says Lee Dixon

 

Everton suffered a disastrous result at the weekend and must now rouse themselves for the Premier League run-in if they are to achieve European qualification.

 

Despite sitting just two points off fifth-placed Arsenal, it's going to be a tough ask for the Toffees. Their last 10 games - beginning with Manchester City at home on Saturday lunchtime - are not easy and the disappointment of losing 3-0 at home to Wigan could linger. Liverpool's strong recent form will not be helping matters and there are rumours about David Moyes' future at the club. That in itself can destabalise a team.

 

Moyes got his team off to a great start this season and it'll be a major test of the Everton manager to keep the boys from fading over these last few fixtures.

 

And Premier League tests don't get much bigger than City. The champions have been finding their groove in recent games and have not conceded a goal in four outings since losing 3-1 at Southampton. The title is still an unlikely proposition but all City can do is keep winning and they've not looked like shirking that challenge in recent matches.

 

Nevertheless, Everton do boast an enviable record against Saturday's visitors, winning five of the last seven league encounters against the Manchester club. That Opta stat perhaps explains why City are 2.16 to win with the home side out to 3.8 and the draw - a winner in six of Everton's 14 games at Goodison Park - available to back at 3.6.

 

I do think City will beat Everton, but I think we're in for a tough and combative encounter with Roberto Mancini's men winning by a slim margin as they chase United at the top.

 

City's stunning run of clean sheets suggests Everton have a struggle to beat Joe Hart and co., and that may be our angle on the betting: a City win to nil.

 

The visitors are picking up momentum at the right time. A possible FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United is looming and, there is a sense that City are hitting their stride as the season reaches its climax.

 

You just can't say that about Everton. The home fans were leaving in their hundreds when the third Wigan goal went in. While I think the home display will be an improvement on last weekend the end result will be the same - defeat for Everton.

 

It could be niggly, too. Moyes will have his team fired up for this and, with a tight game anticipated, I think there will be bookings.

 

 

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