Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Everton (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City return to the pitch for a Boxing Day showdown with Everton as they look to break out of their ongoing slump.

Pep Guardiola’s side have found themselves to be seemingly stuck in quicksand in recent months, winning just one of their last 12 games across all competitions. Most recently, the Sky Blues fell 2-1 away to Aston Villa.

Mounting injuries and an ageing squad have been pinpointed as the reasons for the reigning Premier League champions’ slump, but they will hope for a turnaround as we head into 2025 with a chance to strengthen the squad in the January market.

An Everton side who are beginning to find their footing will come to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday however, and despite Sean Dyche’s side going unbeaten in their last three Premier League clashes, Manchester City will see it as a major chance to get back to winning ways.

Ahead of the Boxing Day affair, let’s pick through how Pep Guardiola might set up his side.

Predicted XI

Stefan Ortega Moreno stepped in between the sticks at Villa Park as Ederson was injured last time out enduring “niggles” in his leg according to the head coach, and we expect the Germany international to remain the number one against Everton.

Kyle Walker played just 45 minutes against Aston Villa as he replaced the injured John Stones at the half-time interval, so the Manchester City captain should step back into his usual right-back role.

In the centre of the rearguard, Pep Guardiola will only have two fully-fit centre-halves at his disposal due to injuries to John Stones and Ruben Dias, and as such we believe Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol should start together.

That leaves only Rico Lewis remaining for the Manchester City boss to choose from on the left defensive flank, with the Englishman maintaining a long-standing run of starts for the Premier League champions.

With Everton potentially set to concede the bulk of the possession to their hosts, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva will be key in playing balls through the lines, while keeping control for the side.

Kevin De Bruyne sat out for all 90 minutes against Aston Villa last weekend, so he should be fit and firing to leave his mark on the attack for Manchester City on Thursday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.

Phil Foden is still waiting to catch fire this season, but perhaps a move out to the right-wing after a unproductive spell centrally could help the Manchester City gem. There is still plenty of hope that he could re-inspire this side to find form once more.

Erling Haaland has perhaps been the biggest victim of Manchester City’s recent struggles, but with some more control from midfield against Everton we should see service for the big striker increase.

Finally, Jack Grealish was perhaps the lone bright spot for the Sky Blues against his former team on Saturday afternoon, and he should be rewarded with another start after a top showing at Villa Park.

Predicted XI: Ortega Moreno; Walker, Akanji, Gvardiol, Lewis; Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Substitutes: Ederson, Simpson-Pusey, Ake, O’Reilly, Nunes, Gundogan, McAtee, Doku, Savinho.