The Big Match Tactical View: Everton v Manchester City

 

David Moyes has often cleverly nullified Manchester City's creative threat in recent years - can he do the same again?

 

Everton v Manchester City, Saturday 12:45, Sky Sports 2.

Match Odds: Everton 3.9, Man City 2.08, The Draw 3.65.

 

Manchester City have struggled against Everton in recent seasons, with David Moyes often formulating a clever gameplan to stifle City's creative threats, forcing  Roberto Mancini to alter his side to make the breakthrough. Don't be surprised to see a similar pattern here - City struggling early on, and Mancini turning to his  bench.

 

Expect Moyes to name a familiar starting XI, in a broad 4-4-1-1 shape. Phil Jagielka is doubtful, meaning Johnny Heitinga would partner Sylvain Distin, with Seamus  Coleman the favourite to start at right-back, with Kevin Mirallas ahead.

 

But don't rule out the possibility of Moyes doing something surprising - in Everton's visit to the Etihad last season, he ordered Jack Rodwell (now at City, and  somewhat inevitably unavailable for his return to Goodison Park because of injury) to man-mark David Silva, tracking the Spaniard across the pitch.

 

When Rodwell was booked for a challenge on Silva, he switched roles with Phil Neville - only for Neville to get booked within minutes, meaning Rodwell took over man- marking duties again. Neville hasn't been a regular in recent weeks, and played poorly in the 3-0 defeat to Wigan last weekend, but it could be an option.

 

Upfront, there's a choice between the woefully out of form Nikica Jelavic, and Victor Anichebe. The Nigerian has played well in recent weeks, and offers more of a  tactical option for Moyes - a couple of seasons ago against City, he moved Anichebe to the wide-left position when Everton went on the defensive.

 

Marouane Fellaini will be in close support, and I fancy him to get a goal here - Kolo Toure and Matija Nastasic have done reasonably well together recently, but they  lack the sheer aerial dominance of Vincent Kompany, who is doubtful. Back Fellaini to score at 10.0.

 

Mancini might start with his more defensive midfield format - which means Yaya Toure in the advanced role, with Gareth Barry and Javi Garcia behind. Garcia will be  asked to stay goalside of Fellaini - the Spanish midfielder is useful in the air.

 

On the flanks, Silva on the left and James Milner wide-right is City's first-choice combination, while Sergio Aguero is another player rated doubtful, so Carlos Tevez  is likely to start upfront alone, with Edin Dzeko the Plan B.

 

So where are the key areas? Moyes' priority will be to stop Silva - whether that's through man-marking or simply good positioning remains to be seen, but without Samir  Nasri, and Tevez as the primary striker rather than deep, City can lack incision when Silva is nullified. Some kind of defensive-minded plan - maybe Neville and  Coleman in tandem down the right - would make sense.

 

The battle between Milner and Leighton Baines will also be interesting - Milner's the perfect player to track the Everton left-back in a defensive sense, but Baines is  so crucial to Everton's attacking that he can also leave space in behind him. Attacking that space and forcing Sylvain Distin out wide is often very profitable.

 

City will be most vulnerable down the flanks - not just with Baines, but because Everton like working situations of numerical superiority down both sides, with Leon  Osman and Darron Gibson focusing upon switching play quickly and efficiently from flank to flank. City's defensive shape must be good, and they should get tight to  prevent crosses coming in - they could really struggle at the back.

 

I fancy Everton to get a result here - their defeat to Wigan was embarrassing, but expect to see a reaction this weekend. City have a couple of crucial absences, and  at this stage it's difficult to see what they're really playing for in the Premier League.

 

When you take into account their poor recent record against Everton, laying City at 2.08 makes sense.

 

Recommended bets:

Back Fellaini to score first at 10.0

Lay Manchester City at 2.08

 

Bet HERE

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