Following their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa at the weekend, Manchester City’s season is in danger of falling off a cliff after they sunk to 7th in the league, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, after 9 defeats in 12 games.

Previously unheard-of, it has almost become the norm now after 2 months of poor results.

Everton have managed to juggle a tricky period, which was partly helped by a postponement of the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, which allowed them to have more time to prepare for a trip to Arsenal and to host Chelsea, and pull off back-to-back 0-0 draws. It’s highly likely a similar approach of sitting back and keeping things tight will be once again be applied here, frustrating an already under pressure Man City.

1 player that is capable of losing his temper at any moment is City’s Bernardo Silva. He’s picked up the most cards for them this season with 5, including 4 in his last 8 home league games. With him deployed on the right of midfield, it’s also likely he’ll be up against Everton’s most fouled player in Iliman Ndiaye, who is drawing 1.6 fouls per-game since he arrived at Goodison Park.

Silva was booked last time he started at home against Everton. The referee is Simon Hooper who is averaging 5.0 cards per-game this season across his 10 matches and previously booked the Portugal international v Brighton last year. He’s too big a price to ignore here.

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with an emphatic 6-3 victory at Tottenham to leave them 4 points clear of Chelsea with a game in hand, following recent dropped points against Fulham and Newcastle.

The warning signs were there for Leicester and manager Ruud van Nistelrooy after conceding barrage of shots against West Ham and Brighton despite picking up a win and a draw, so it was no surprise to see a 4-0 defeat at Newcastle followed by a 3-0 loss at home to Wolves.

Liverpool’s most carded player is Alexis Mac Allister who’s collected 8 cards across the Premier League and Champions League already this season. It’s no surprise when he’s making 1.5 fouls per-game, with only midfield partner Ryan Gravenberch committing more (1.6).

It’s likely when Leicester break it will be through Facundo Buonanotte, and the tricky Argentinian is being respected with his 4 goals and 2 assists, as opposition players are fouling him 1.4 times per-game. The referee is Darren Bond who has shown a healthy 33 cards in his 7 league games at an average of 4.71 per-game.