Match Preview: City vs. Everton

After three and a half years in charge of his Manchester City side, Roberto Mancini takes his in form City side to a hurting Everton to try and claim his first victory in Merseyside as boss of the blues. City are looking to close the gap at the top of the league whilst Everton are desperately trying to keep their slim Champions League ambitions alive. Both managers frosty relationship will surly be put to the test with a passionate tie  between two clubs with two different beliefs.

The clubs two midfield giants, Yaya Toure and Marouane Felliani

City go into the game with no doubt their bogey team looking for their first win at Goodison Park since April 2009 after goals from Stephen Ireland and Robinho took three points for Mark Hughes' men. After last week's impressive victory over Championship Barnsley in the F.A cup to guarantee a fourth visit to Wembley Stadium in two years, the club as a whole will travel with great confidence. City's form since the 3-1 away defeat to Southampton nearly a month ago is near phenomenal with 12 goals for and none against. 

The Toffees will no doubt be hurting going against the side they've picked up the more points in the Premier League era from than any other club after last weekends shocking home quarter final defeat to Wigan in the F.A cup. Everton's recent form is more than patchy. With three defeats in the last eight games, Everton are certainly not showing the form they showed early season that made them Champions League contenders. 

Roberto Mancini takes his Champions to Merseyside with a few selection headaches ahead of him. With Vincent Kompany expected to make his long awaited return to the fold after nearly two months out, the Belgian may not be risked ahead of the clash with an important fixture pile up ahead of them. Former Evertonian Jack Rodwell is ruled out for two months with a recurrence of his hamstring injury that has blighted the promising Englishman career. Last season's top scorer, Sergio Aguero is also expected to return to the City side after a slight knock that kept him out of the Barnsley game last week. 

Everton come into the home clash with a few headaches themselves. David Moyes expects long serving Tim Howard to miss the rest of the season with a bad back injury picked up most recently. Consistent performer Phil Jagielka is also a doubt for the game with the Champions. Bigger problems lay ahead of Everton as they seek to regain the form Nikica Jelavic showed last season. Marouane Felliani's problems with cause a great concern to David Moyes after the Beligan is believed to have given the Everton fans who booed him so viciously last weekend, a hand gesture prior to his substitution in the defeat with Wigan. 

Predicted Team:

Prediction: Everton 1 City 1. I can see a backlash from Everton against last weeks embarrassing defeat at home to Wigan. I feel Everton will enter the game with a tight back eight players trying to catch City on the counter attack. A dull affair to end a score a piece.