Everton v Man City: Line-ups, stats and preview

Everton v Man City match preview

Manchester City will move fourth in the table if the reigning champions end their two-match winless league away run at Everton on Saturday.

The Cityzens have gone more than four hours without scoring on the road in the top flight since Erling Haaland’s winner at Tottenham on February 26.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s in our hands in the last six games to qualify for the Champions League,” manager Pep Guardiola said after seeing his side recover from 2-0 behind to beat Crystal Palace 5-2 at home last Saturday.

The top five will qualify for next season’s competition, with City starting the weekend in fifth, a point above Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Classic @Mahrez22 🇩🇿💫 pic.twitter.com/n66ZP19qDr

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 18, 2025

City’s task looks a tricky one against an Everton side who recorded one of the best results of their campaign last Saturday, winning 1-0 at Nottingham Forest, who are two points above City.

The Toffees’ only defeat in their last 12 league matches was at leaders Liverpool, although five of their last seven have been draws.

“They’ve been an incredible football team and still are,” manager David Moyes said of City. “We’ve not got a great record against them, so we have to try to turn that round.”

Everton will remain 13th on Saturday but a win could move Moyes’ side two points behind Brentford and Crystal Palace above them.

Looking towards a bright future… 💭

— Everton (@Everton) April 15, 2025

Everton v Manchester City team news

After four months out with a knee injury, winger Dwight McNeil has featured as a late substitute in each of Everton’s last two games, including an assist for Abdoulaye Doucoure’s added-time winner at Forest.

“He’s getting up to the intensity a bit better, but you’ve got to remember he’s been out for a long time,” said Moyes. “He’s really important to us.

“We need him for set-piece deliveries, all sorts of things, and I have to say I’m glad to get him back. Whether he’s quite ready [to start] yet, I don’t know. But we’ll be happy to involve him if required.”

Winger Jesper Lindstrom (hernia), forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and midfielder Orel Mangala (knee) remain out.

▶️ David Moyes is asked if Dwight McNeil is ready to start games yet. pic.twitter.com/ymHJkq1Wht

— Everton (@Everton) April 17, 2025

Defenders Nathan Ake (foot), John Stones and Manuel Akanji (both thigh) and midfielder Rodri (knee) are among City’s injured players, while top scorer Erling Haaland is hopeful of returning this season from a foot issue.

Goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Phil Foden – who has trained – will have late fitness tests after sustaining injuries against Palace.