There’s high praise for Pep Guardiola from recently-appointed Goodison counterpart Carlo Ancelotti as well as a look at predictions for the game.
And there are also ponderings about whether Gabriel Jesus could extend his fine individual record against the Toffees…
News
The Guardian – Ancelotti’s praise for ‘genius’ Guardiola
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has called City manager Pep Guardiola a genius ahead of their New Year’s Day encounter.
READ: Guardiola salutes an ‘incredible’ year
WATCH: A City Decade | 2018
“Pep is a fantastic manager,” Ancelotti said. “I have a really good relationship with him and a lot of respect. He is a genius because he’s always tried to do something special on the pitch.”
City are 14 points behind leaders Liverpool but Ancelotti believes the reigning champions will help gauge Everton’s revival, which has brought consecutive victories since the 60-year-old took charge from caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson.
“Against City this is a fantastic test to see where we are at,” added Ancelotti, whose side will face Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday. “Maybe City are not at the same level as last year, but Liverpool won all their games except one, that is the difference.
“City remain a fantastic team, with a fantastic manager, and it will be really tough to compete with them but we can have confidence to do our best. I think at this moment it is good to have this kind of test.”
Predictions
BBC – Mark Lawrenson’s prediction
“Carlo Ancelotti has had a really good start as Everton boss. In the last match at Newcastle, the Toffees looked a really good and full of confidence for half an hour - before revisiting their old mistakes from this Premier League season.
“Manchester City are inconsistent like lots of teams in the Premier League. They look a little bit flat but Sergio Aguero is back and scoring again.
“I do think City will go on a good run and their eyes might possibly be on the cup competitions - especially the Champions League.”
Prediction: 2-0
SkySports – Charlie Nicholas’s prediction
Everton are showing some good signs for Carlo Ancelotti. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has found a goalscoring reputation. It was so attack-minded with Theo Walcott and Richarlison alongside Calvert-Lewin, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies in behind them.
READ: Aguero ends decade as Premier League top scorer
WATCH: A City decade | 2017
The defence is not the best so they have to be on the front foot, but good luck with that at Manchester City, with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero in attack. Man City are in the mood to get back to second and get the belief back that they can close the gap a little. Ancelotti will change his style to accommodate the game, but this will be a convincing Man City win.
Prediction: 3-0 City
BetVictor – Michael Owen’s prediction
“City bounced back from their defeat at Molineux to beat Sheffield United on Sunday evening, but it was far from a vintage performance from Pep Guardiola’s side who will be severely tested by Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton, who had 22 attempts at goal at St James’ Park at the weekend,” Owen told BetVictor.
“Whether Ancelotti will play as attacking a side at the Etihad as he did against Newcastle remains to be seen and I expect to see the champions take all three points from what promises to be an open entertaining game with opportunities at both ends.”
Prediction: City to win and both teams to score
Opinion
Manchester Evening News – More Jesus joy against Toffees?
Simon Bajkowski: “Even if City haven’t always thrived against Everton, Gabriel Jesus has.
“The Brazilian’s work permit had just failed to arrive in time for their 4-0 drubbing back in January 2017 but the young striker has scored in his last four appearances against them and his five goals against them is the most he has scored against any side in the league.
“Will his record mean the manager throws Jesus straight in after his illness over Christmas rather than use Aguero again when the striker has only just returned?”
