In this article…
2 of the recommended selections in this preview qualify for Super Sub.
Join Paddy Power to qualify for Super Sub and get £60 in Free Football Bet Builders when you place a £10 bet.
New Customer offer. Place a min. £10 bet on Football on odds of min. 1.50 (1/2) – get £60 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. AD
Man City v Everton
📅
Kick Off: Thursday 26th December at 12:30
🏆
Competition: Premier League
The first fixture after Christmas pits Manchester City, the reigning champions desperate for a resurgence, against an Everton side buoyed by a gritty 0-0 draw against Chelsea. While Everton edge closer to safety, City will rely on their renowned squad depth and home dominance to reverse their current dismal form.
⭐ Man City v Everton Best Bet
City’s uncharacteristic run of just 1 win in their last 12 games might suggest vulnerability, but their Etihad record still points to a likely home victory. With 7 wins and only 2 losses at home this season, the champions remain a formidable force in familiar surroundings. Everton’s travel woes amplify City’s advantage, as the Toffees have managed just 1 win on the road all season. History is also against the visitors — Everton haven’t claimed victory at the Etihad since 2010, underlining the magnitude of the challenge. Despite their struggles, City’s possession-heavy, attacking style should be enough to break down a stubborn but limited Everton side.
While this is not an attractive price as a single it offers strong acca-boosting potential for Boxing Day.
👕 Man City v Everton Predicted XI
Predicted Lineup pending…
🔍 Man City v Everton Players to Watch
🔵 Rico Lewis
The young full back has been a revelation for City, combining defensive solidity with attacking energy. However, his exuberance has often led to disciplinary issues, with 5 yellow cards (and 1 red) in his last 7 starts. Facing an Everton side likely to sit deep and rely on counter-attacks, Lewis could find himself exposed to quick transitions, where his tackling may turn rash.
Additionally, City’s desperation for a result could translate into frustration on the pitch, further increasing the likelihood of a caution for the 20-year-old.
⚫️ Dominic Calvert-Lewin
In a team that has struggled for goals, Calvert-Lewin remains Everton’s focal point in attack. With 3 goal contributions this season, he is Everton’s second-most productive player, despite limited service. Averaging 2.13 shots per game and hitting the target 0.88 times on average, Calvert-Lewin is always looking for an opening. Against a City side that will dominate possession, his chances may be few, but Everton’s best hope of testing City’s keeper lies with their No. 9’s aerial and hold-up play. 1.73 is a nice price on the most likely Toffee to hit the target.
📂 Man City v Everton Cheat Sheet
Pending cheat sheet….
Andy’s Bet Club is the best place for Football Betting Predictions. We’ve got this weekend’s Premier League slate covered with Premier League Bet Builder Tips and Premier League Accumulator Predictions.
We’ve got plenty more in store for Boxing Day’s action, look out for our Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Betting Preview.
💻 Man City v Everton Form and Tactics
City’s slump of 1 win in 12 matches underlines the need for a tactical reset. However, they remain a dominant force, boasting the league’s highest possession (62.5%), most accurate passes, and most touches in the opposition box. Pep Guardiola’s tactical tinkering — alternating between a standard midfield three and more fluid setups — has hindered consistency, but City’s fundamentals of control and relentless attacking remain unchanged. Expect them to flood the attacking third, leveraging their corner-taking prowess (league-high 8.17 per game) and precise passing to pin Everton back.
Everton’s defensive resilience has been their hallmark, highlighted by their hard-earned draw at Chelsea. With 5 points from their last 3 games, Sean Dyche’s side have shown grit, but their attacking woes persist— they’ve failed to score in 6 of their last 7 games. Averaging just 0.88 goals per match and the league’s lowest possession (38.6%), Everton often find themselves under relentless pressure.
Expect Jordan Pickford to play a key role once again. The England international, tied for the most clean sheets in the league (7), has kept the Toffees in games where they’ve been severely outplayed. Against City, Everton’s defensive line will need to withstand an onslaught of shots, corners, and through balls, while their attack relies on sporadic counter-attacks spearheaded by Calvert-Lewin.
Get best bets sent to your inbox, it’s free.
🏁 Man City v Everton Ref Watch
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- Average Cards (Yellows/ Reds): (4.79/0.14)
- Fouls Given: 21.29
- Penalties: 0
*data from the 2024/25 season
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
Our guide on How To Use A Cheat Sheet is the perfect way to get involved with our Bet Builder Stats tool, the best freely available data source for punting on the Premier League.
Our Boxing Day Shots on Target Tips, Fouls Predictions and Cards Tips are well worth a browse ahead of kick-off.
We recommend the Best Betting Sites For Accumulators, Top Bet Builder Sites, Weekly Free Bet Clubs, and the best Premier League Free Bets but we also like specific offers like the Paddy Power Sign Up Offer and Sky Bet Sign Up Offer.
Expert guides, such as this one, on xG in Football, are also available to help you up your punting game.
* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
18+ please gamble responsibly.
