Club journalist Rob Pollard has taken a look at some of the major pre-match talking points.
1Rested and ready to go?
It’s been 19 days since our last game, the superb 2-0 win away at Stoke City. Since then, the players have enjoyed warm-weather training in Abu Dhabi, an opportunity to spend some time together away from the glare and pressure of Premier League football.
In a season that has seen City play 47 matches in all competitions, it was a welcome break. Studies show that a period without matches during the season is good for recovery and helps players avoid injuries.
We should a side that is fit and raring to go come 5.30pm on Saturday when City line up against Everton.
READ: Everton v City scouting report
GALLERY: City stars tune up for Toffees
2Everton are no pushovers
Everton have proven something of a bogey side for Pep Guardiola’s City.
The Merseysiders are the only team we haven’t beaten since Guardiola’s arrival in 2016 and are one of only four sides to take points off us this season. Indeed, the 4-0 defeat suffered at Goodison 14 months ago is the heaviest defeat Pep has suffered as a manager.
But since that win, Everton are winless against the so called Top Six, taking just four points from 15 games, conceding 40 goals in the process.
City’s recent record against the Toffees needs reversing and Saturday is the ideal time to do it.
And there’s added incentive for the players. A win would see City become only the third club to beat all other teams in a single Premier League season, following in the footsteps of Chelsea in 2005-06 and Manchester United in 2010-11.
3Nullifying Tosun is key
Nicolas Otamendi’s role will be vital in this match.
He will be given the task of dealing with in-form Cenk Tosun, a back-to-goal striker who has four goals in his last three games.
He brings physicality to Everton’s attack, as well as a knack of being in the right place at the right time.
It’ll be a big test for Otamendi, who has been outstanding all season.
READ: Everton v City team news
READ: City on course to smash 10 Premier League records.
4Title within grasp
The permutation is simple: if City win the next two matches – against Everton and Manchester United – the Premier League title is ours.
Such situations bring intense pressure and it will be fascinating to see how this group of players handle it. Three points at Goodison and we’re almost there…
5Start of a crucial period
This is the first of a huge five-game run that will go a long way in determining the level of success City have this season.
We return to Merseyside on Wednesday for the first leg of our Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool, before the Manchester Derby next weekend. It’s then back to Anfield for the second leg and then a trip to Wembley to play Tottenham in the league. As fortnights go, it could hardly be more testing.
It leaves Guardiola with a big selection decision at Goodison. Does he play a full-strength side for what is a vital game, or does he have one eye on the difficult tests that lie in wait?
