John Stones and Leroy Sane return with Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne starting on the bench.
Starting XI and bench
Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Gundogan, D Silva (c), Bernardo, Sane, Aguero
Subs: Muric, Danilo, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Zinchenko, Jesus, Sterling
READ: Where can I watch Everton v City?
LIVE: Everton v City: Matchday Centre
Referee:
Craig Pawson
Probable tactics and formation
City are likely to revert to a more familiar 4-3-3 against the Toffees.
Pep Guardiola tinkered with the formation against Arsenal and it worked well, but the personnel needed for this evening might dictate a different XI.
Aymeric Laporte seems set to play left-back with Stones and Nicolas Otamendi also selected.
Fernandinho will pin the midfield with Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva ahead of him.
Bernardo and Sane will flank the in-form Sergio Aguero.
Everton have the joint worst record of conceding goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this campaign, so it will be interesting to see if the champions try to exploit their Achilles heel.
Everton starting XI
🔵 | Here it is, Blues, your team to face @ManCity!
— Everton (@Everton) February 6, 2019
5⃣ changes.
↩ @LucasDigne returns.
💙 Captain Davies.
Up the Toffees! #EFCMatchday pic.twitter.com/6AXHVDHrLN
Can Blues climb to the summit?
Given Liverpool’s successive draws against Leicester City and West Ham, City have an unexpected opportunity to overhaul the Reds this evening.
The Blues’ goal difference is +6 better than Liverpool’s, so victory at Goodison Park would see City go top for the first time since our defeat to Chelsea on 6 December.
Of course, Jurgen Klopp’s side would have a game in hand, but with the pressure likely to crank up in the coming weeks, it adds a new dimension to the title race.
Liverpool will have a chance to reclaim top spot against Bournemouth on Saturday, 24 hours before the Blues take on Chelsea in what is likely to be another nail-biting clash.
One things s certain – games that looked as though they could only go one way on paper are proving anything but walks in the park for all the leading clubs.
That’s a trend that will surely continue until the last day of the campaign – but it feels as though tonight’s trip to Goodison is a ‘must win’, if only to take advantage of Liverpool’s recent slips.
Stats and milestones
The Toffees have beaten City just once in the past 11 Premier League - a 4-0 triumph at Goodison Park in January 2017.
Should City win, it will be the first time we’ve had back-to-back successes at Goodison since 2013/14 – it would also complete Premier League double for only the second time.
The Toffees have taken 11 points since the start of December - only Huddersfield Town and Fulham have earned fewer in that time
Sergio Aguero could become the Club’s record League goal-scorer tonight if he nets at least two goals.
