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Everton v Manchester City

Written by Chris Sturdy

man_city Tuesday night's English Premier League coupon includes three games where the away side is rated an odds on chance and one of those matches is league leaders Manchester City's trip to Everton.

Manchester City may have tumbled out of two domestic cup competitions since the turn of the year but they remain the team to catch in the title race. City take a three point lead to Goodison Park in the knowledge their nearest challengers, Manchester United, are trading deep in the red for their Tuesday night fixture at home to Stoke. Let's highlight selected stats and take a closer look at recent form, starting with the home side.

From eighth place down to fifteenth just five points separate eight clubs and Everton go into this game in fourteenth position. A poor return of just three home wins from eleven matches at Goodison is largely responsible for a disappointing campaign so far in which Everton have actually gained more points on their travels than they have on their own manor. A 2-1 win at home to Fulham in the cup last weekend keeps the season alive but recent league form shows just two wins in the last ten games. Struggling sides such as QPR and Bolton have left Goodison with three points this season, Stoke were also winners here and Everton's two home matches against top seven sides saw Liverpool win 2-0 and Manchester United 1-0. Wins have arrived against Wigan, Wolves and Swansea but after this visit from City, Chelsea and Spurs will both be in town. Only four of eleven Everton home games have seen backers of over 2.5 collect, and four of the last five have seen no more than two goals scored.

City's exit's from the FA Cup and Carling Cup to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively have been mixed up with three straight Premier League wins to repair the damage from a stumble over Christmas. A 1-0 win at Wigan halted a run of four Premier League road trips in which just two points were added to their tally. Chelsea and Sunderland are the only sides to beat City this season whilst Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom all took a point from visits by the league leaders. As far as total goals markets are concerned, four of the last five City away games have seen backers of under 2.5 goals collect. On the team news front, Vincent Kompany will be available after suspension, the Toure's remain on AFCON duty with Ivory Coast and Balotelli starts a four match ban.

The earlier meeting between the sides this season took place in Manchester and City won 2-0, both goals arriving in the second half. Everton had won the previous four head to heads (two home and two away) with City losing on this ground 2-1 in 20010/11 and 2-0 in the 2009/10 campaign

The Betting

Everton 3.35/1 Sportsbet

Draw 5/2 World Sports Betting

Man City 9/10 BetXchange, World Sports Betting

Selected Others

Under 2.5 goals 17/20 Sportingbet

Over 2.5 goals even money World Sports Betting

Both teams to score (yes) 8/10 BetXchange

Odds are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Some bookmakers may not have priced up on all markets at the time of writing.

The Verdict

Recent league stats would suggest a low scoring (unders) game and the return of Kompany would be another tick in the box for defences being on top but Everton have been without first choice centre backs Distin and Jagielka lately and have just one clean sheet at home all season. Tim Cahill's return to goalscoring form in a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn and the recent return of Landon Donovan boost Everton's prospects of a goal of their own. However, all in all I think the away win is the way to go with Everton having lost (without scoring) to Liverpool and Manchester United here this season and City having benefited from a rare weekend off.

Bet: Man City to win 9/10 BetXchange, World Sports Betting

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