Football Prediction | Manchester City vs Everton | Premier League 2025/26 | Oct 18 – Do City’s Engines Fire Back to Top Gear?

Etihad Stadium will host an exciting Premier League fixture as Manchester City welcome Everton in a contest of contrasting styles. City aim to assert their dominance with high-possession football, while Everton will look to be compact and hit on the counter. Both teams have attacking threats capable of changing the game in moments. Key battles in attack and midfield will likely decide which side comes out on top.

Manchester City vs Everton Form Guide

Manchester City

Manchester City have been dominant in possession, using their midfield and fullbacks to control the tempo of matches. Haaland has been the main goal threat, combining finishing with intelligent movement. Foden and Reijnders provide creativity, linking the midfield to the forward line effectively. Defensively, Dias and Gvardiol provide stability, allowing City to play aggressively higher up the pitch.

Everton

Everton have relied on solid defensive organization and quick transitions this season. Grealish leads their attacking play, while Ndiaye and Garner provide balance in midfield. Mykolenko and Keane anchor the backline, aiming to limit City’s attacking options. Their challenge will be to withstand City’s relentless pressing and exploit any spaces on the counter.

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Manchester City vs Everton Key Battles:

Haaland vs Grealish

Haaland is City’s primary goal threat, capable of finishing from multiple positions and creating opportunities for teammates. His aerial ability and positioning will challenge Everton’s defenders. Grealish, on the other hand, is Everton’s creative spark, providing goals and assists from wide and central areas. The duel between Haaland and Everton’s backline versus Grealish’s ingenuity will be decisive in determining the outcome.

Reijnders vs Ndiaye

Reijnders has been vital in linking City’s midfield to attack, contributing both goals and assists. His movement and passing can unlock defenses. Ndiaye provides Everton with defensive coverage while occasionally joining attacks. The battle in the middle of the park between Reijnders and Ndiaye will impact which team controls the tempo.

Manchester City vs Everton Tactical Outlook

City will dominate possession, look to stretch Everton with wide play, and create overloads in central areas. High pressing will aim to force turnovers and maintain constant pressure. The fullbacks and midfielders will push forward to support attacks. Maintaining defensive discipline against counter-attacks will be crucial.

Everton will set up compact defensively and attempt to hit City on the counter. Quick transitions and intelligent positioning will be key to exploiting any spaces left by City. Fullbacks will support attacks but need to remain cautious defensively. Effectiveness in set-pieces could also influence the match outcome.

Head-to-Head Encounters

Historically, Manchester City have dominated Everton in recent meetings. The Citizens have used possession-based football to control the games. Everton have occasionally caused problems on the counter, resulting in narrow defeats. The matches are usually decided by individual moments of quality from key players.

Injury News and Suspensions

Manchester City

Cityhave some minor injury concerns ahead of this fixture. Abdukodir Khusanov has a knock, while Rayan Ait Nouri is sidelined with an ankle injury. The rest of the squad is fit and expected to start. City’s depth should allow them to adapt to any absences effectively.

Everton

Everton face key absences with Jack Grealish suspended. Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Röhl are sidelined due to hamstring and hip injuries respectively, while Michael Keane has a rib injury. These absences may impact both defense and midfield creativity. Everton will need tactical discipline to compensate.

Manchester City vs Everton Possible Playing Squad

Manchester City

Donnarumma (GK), Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bobb, Nunes, O’Reilly, Reijnders, Foden, Savinho, Haaland

Everton

Pickford (GK), Tarkowski, Keane, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dibling, Barry, Grealish 

Match Details at a Glance

Match Prediction

Manchester City’s attacking quality and midfield control make them favorites to dominate this match. Everton will fight on the counter but may struggle to contain City’s relentless attack.

Score Prediction

Manchester City 3–1 Everton – Haaland to score for City, while Grealish likely nets Everton’s goal.