Everton and Manchester City take on each other in the two-legged tie with a place in the Capital One Cup final at stake.
Everton knows that this could be their best bet to reach Europe this season, so they are going to give it their best shot when they welcome Manchester City to Goodison.They are now at 11th place in the standings with six points behind Manchester United who occupy the fifth spot at the moment.
The Toffees are on a poor run at the moment, as they have managed just five points in their last five matches in the Premier League and managed to win just once, drew twice and suffered two defeats. Last weekend they recorded a 1-1 draw with Tottenham to put an end their two matches losing streak.
Meanwhile, for Manchester City this clash with Everton comes at the right time. They recorded seven points from their last three matches in the Premier League. They are third in the standings with just one point behind Leicester City in second place, and three points behind Arsenal at the top.
They came back after the defeat to Arsenal and then beat Sunderland at home 4-1. Two days after that they recorded a 0-0 draw with Leicester City.
With only two wins in their last nine matches on the road in all competitions, City’s away form had become a serious concern prior to a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday that was sparked by Toure’s impressive equaliser.
Mnachester City won the League Cup for a third time in 2014 when goals from Toure, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas secured a 3-1 final victory over Sunderland, while Everton have never won the tournament and last made the final in 1984.
Head to Head
Manchester City have won in four of the past five meetings between the clubs, including the game back in August when goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Nasri secured a 2-0 win for the visitors.
In terms of the League Cup, the two sides have crossed paths twice. In 1969 it was City that won through 2-0, but in 1988 Everton gained revenge as Adrian Heath and Graeme Sharp found the net.
Match Facts
- Everton are on a four-game winless run at home.
- Toffees scored 1+ goals in each of their previous six matches at Goodison Park
- 15 goals in total were scored in Everton’s previous four fixtures
- Manchester City are unbeaten in last five meetings with Everton
- Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be hopeful of building a first-leg lead, having won two and drawn one of their last three games at Goodison, including a 2-0 league victory in August.
- The Citizens scored only three goals in previous six away games
Team News
Wilfried Bony is not fit enough to be included in the squad for this clash, which should see Sergio Aguero spearhead the attack. The visitors will still be without their captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder Samir Nasri.
Meanwhile, Everton boss Martinez has revealed that Joel Robles will replace Tim Howard in goal, just as he has done throughout the competition. Skipper Phil Jagielka and midfielder Steven Pienaar are both in contention for a place in the squad, but James McCarthy is likely to be out of action until the end of the month with a hip injury.
Possible line-ups
Everton: Robles; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Cleverley, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
