‘Massive advantage’: Paul Merson predicts result of Everton showdown v Manchester City
Everton will extend their winless run in all competitions to four matches when they face Manchester City on Saturday 10 February, according to Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit believes that the Toffees won’t build upon their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, suggesting that City’s “world-class” squad depth will be the difference, predicting that Pep Guardiola’s side will win 2-0.
City have won nine consecutive games in all competitions and will return to the top of the Premier League with a win over Sean Dyche’s side and Merson has no doubts that Everton will come away empty handed.
Writing for Sportskeeda on Thursday (8 February) he said: “Everton will make it hard for teams despite their position in the league table, but I can’t see anything but a Manchester City win and that will take them to the top of the Premier League standings.
“They’ve won nine successive games across all competitions and have started to do what they do best during the second half of the campaign – winning games and going on a run.
“In Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, they’ve got two world-class players back in their squad and that is a massive, massive advantage. The likes of Jack Grealish and John Stones didn’t even get off the bench against Brentford – that just goes to show what a phenomenal squad they’ve built.”
Manchester City ominous in Everton relegation battle
This was always going to be a tough season for Everton, but the last few weeks have increased the tension at Goodison Park as Dyche’s side is once again back in the Premier League dropzone.
The Toffees had been galvanised by their initial point deduction, but that emotion has now faded on Merseyside and relegation is now looking like a real possibility, especially with Luton Town’s recent upturn in form.
Dyche’s side will make it hard for City as Merson suggested, but Guardiola’s side doesn’t have the same weaknesses as Tottenham and they are much more likely to nullify the Toffees threat from set-pieces.
Hopefully, Everton will be able to upset the odds and claim all three points at the Etihad on Saturday, but there won’t be many supporters heading to Manchester full of confidence in Dyche’s side.
