Man City will be looking to claim only their second away win of the season when they make the trip to Everton this weekend. Despite spending big, and an impressive display in the UEFA Cup, City have failed to trouble teams away from the City of Manchester stadium.
Everton will be in a buoyant mood having secured passage to the FA Cup final last weekend and claiming a point away to Chelsea in midweek. This mid table clash should promise one thing, goals. Everton have scored the most at home out of any of the teams outside of the top three and Man City have conceded 27 goals while on their travels.
Having secured a place in the FA Cup final for the first time in 14 years the Toffees will be in an optimistic mood and the draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night will not have lessened that. Although they have an impressive goal scoring record at home the Merseysiders’ will be without Brazilian striker Jo who is ineligible as he is on loan from City. With Jo ruled out Everton are short of options upfront and may well turn to penalty shoot out hero James Vaughn to partner fans’ favourite Tim Cahill. Phil Jagielka and Tony Hibbert are likely to be brought back into the team having been rested in midweek as Everton go in search of their eighth home win of the season.
Mark Hughes will have been boosted by the news this week that Brazillian wonder Robinho wants to stay at the Eastlands’ club and he will be looking to him to provide the spark needed to secure victory on Saturday. Having won only once on their travels all season City has the fourth worst away record in the league.
Hughes will have to choose between Caicedo, Ched Evans and Danny Sturridge to lead the attack at Goodison Park. Sturridge scored last weekend in the 4-2 victory against West Brom and will be hopeful of being rewarded with a place in the starting line up. Micah Richards will be replacing injured Pablo Zabaleta at right back and long term injury lay off Shaun Wright Phillips continues his treatment for a sore ankle.
With Europa League places still an option for both clubs it will be a hard fought contest in Liverpool. Both teams will go into the game chasing the win and Mark Hughes knows that he has to improve City’s away form if he wants to be in charge next season.
Despite their only being four places between the two teams 12 points separate them and the visiting side will be eager to try and close this gap. David Moyes’s team are looking at a fourth successive Premier League victory over City who go into this weekend’s game facing another two North West derbies after this one.
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