Everton enters the formidable Etihad Stadium in Manchester for a domestic engagement with top club City. The Toffees find themselves in the relegation zone after being docked 10 points for breaches of the Financial Fair Play regulations, making this second half of the season critical to their hopes of remaining in the top flight. Can Everton earn a valuable result on the road against Guardiola’s Cityzens? Read on for an expert Manchester City vs Everton prediction and explore stats and the latest Man City odds.
- Manchester City FC vs Everton FC, English Premier League
- February 10, 2024
- 7:30 AM EST
- Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
- USA, Peacock, Fubo
Manchester City vs Everton Prediction: Who do Sportsbooks Favor?
Everton are huge underdogs to topple mighty Manchester City on their home grounds. The Toffees will travel north as (+1097) underdogs. A draw, which Everton would gladly take given their precarious position in the table, is lined at (+600). Manchester City are priced at a desirable (-450), good for an implied probability of 81.8% to win.
Want to better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market? See our soccer betting tips and learn about English Premier League betting odds.
Manchester City Team News and Recent Games
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is reportedly seen as a primary target to replenish the right-hand side of Manchester City’s attack, according to recent reports. Guardiola is in the market for a winger who can complement Erling Haaland up front. However, he will be battling fellow Manchester boss Erik ten Hag, whose United are also in the running for the French international.
Olise has left a lasting impression with his blend of speed, skill, and playmaking ability. He might now consider a departure at the end of the season, especially if he believes he can secure playing time at a new club. Valued at an anticipated fee of approximately $76 million, Olise has contributed six goals and three assists in the current season. His contract with Palace extends until 2027.
Meanwhile, City have appeared to regain their strong second-half form with 9 straight wins across all competitions. In fact, the Cityzens have not tasted defeat since a 1-0 loss on the road to Aston Villa on December 6. Besides that, you will have to go back to early October before you find another loss on Manchester City’s records.
Everton Recent Form and Injury Updates
In a dramatic turn of events on Saturday, Jarrad Branthwaite secured a 94th-minute equalizer, salvaging a crucial point for relegation-threatened Everton in their 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Richarlison, once adored at Goodison Park, netted a brace in the first half, seemingly securing victory for the visitors. However, Branthwaite’s decisive header at the back post, following Everton’s persistent threat from set-pieces throughout the game, ensured the teams ultimately shared the points.
Everton has experienced a recent dip in form, yet they remain undervalued by the market, primarily due to their exceptional prowess playing without the ball. They exhibit the versatility to execute two distinct playing styles effectively. Everton can adopt a passive mid block, making it exceedingly challenging for teams like Manchester City to navigate through the middle or generate high-quality chances. Notably, Everton boasts the fewest conceded big scoring chances in the Premier League, underscoring their defensive solidity.
Conversely, Everton possesses the capability to press opponents aggressively during build-up, causing disruptions. They rank third in the Premier League for both forcing high turnovers and capitalizing on those turnovers with shots. As Manchester City, managed by Guardiola, looks to play from the back, invert their fullbacks, and overload the opposition’s last defensive line, Everton has an opportunity to apply high-pressure tactics against City.
And when looking into their recent results, Everton’s only dropped games to Wolves (away) and Luton in the FA Cup since they fell to Manchester City in their final game of 2023. Draws against Aston Villa and Tottenham, both currently top 5 teams in the EPL, are nothing to scoff at.
Manchester City vs Everton Prediction and Free Betting Pick
The Manchester City tax is on full display in betting markets this weekend yet again. A fan-favorite club that has seen tremendous success in past years is practically invincible in the eyes of the public, inflating their betting odds to a significant degree seemingly every game. Their match against Everton on Saturday is no exception.
Everton is a club that, with some luck and no 10-point docking, could be in the top 10 of the Premier League this season. They play well out of possession and convert on set pieces at a high rate, ideal for a matchup against Manchester City.
Despite being at home, I think City have no business being priced this high against a good club like Everton. I have to back the Toffees here, but will do so in the asian handicap market at +1.5. This means even in the event of a 1-goal loss, the bet will hit. At decent plus-money is even better, but Manchester City’s firepower and form at the Etihad makes me wary of going any more than a half unit.
Top Sportsbooks for Manchester City Odds
Explore some of the best sportsbooks for online betting below. Each website is reviewed by MyTopSportsbooks for user experience, customer service, new member promos, and more.
