Prediction: Manchester City vs Everton

Verdict: Erling Haaland to score

Best odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Betfair

Manchester City could move to the top of the Premier League table if they defeat Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The two sides last met in April, when City left it late to secure a 2-0 win at Goodison Park through goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic.

Manchester City

After back-to-back league defeats to Tottenham and Brighton at the end of August, Manchester City have regained their stride, putting together a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions (W5, D2). Pep Guardiola’s team entered the October international break in high spirits following a narrow 1-0 victory over Brentford two weeks ago.

Erling Haaland continues to dominate the headlines, having already netted 21 goals in 12 appearances for club and country this season. The Norwegian striker, who won September’s Premier League Player of the Month award, has scored nine goals in just seven league matches, making him the early frontrunner for another Golden Boot.

Guardiola, who recently reached 250 Premier League wins faster than any manager in history, believes his side are “getting better and better.” Their numbers in 2025 certainly support that claim — City are averaging more points per game (2.04) than any other Premier League team this calendar year, have scored the most goals (55), and have matched Liverpool for the most wins (16).

The Citizens will feel confident going into Saturday’s fixture, having avoided defeat in their last 16 Premier League encounters with Everton (W13, D3) since a 4-0 loss at Goodison Park in January 2017 — their fourth-longest unbeaten run against any opponent in the division.

Team News

City hope to welcome back Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) and Abdukodir Khusanov (calf) after recent injuries, but Rodri remains a major doubt with a hamstring issue sustained at Brentford.

Rayan Cherki, who returned to the bench last time out following a thigh injury, could feature again, though Guardiola may prefer to start Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders in the attacking midfield roles. Jeremy Doku will push for a recall on the left flank, while Haaland is set to lead the line once more as he chases his 10th Premier League goal of the campaign.

Everton

Everton head into the match buoyed by a dramatic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace before the international break, with on-loan City winger Jack Grealish scoring his first goal for the Toffees deep into stoppage time.

David Moyes criticised his side’s “poor” first-half display but was pleased with the response, as Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty and Grealish’s late strike extended Everton’s unbeaten home record at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and ended Palace’s 19-game run without defeat.

Including the tail end of last season, the Toffees have now won six of their last ten Premier League matches (D2, L2) — matching their total number of wins from the previous 27 league fixtures (D13, L8). That surge has lifted them to eighth place, just two points behind City in fifth.

Moyes’s men have also improved their away form, winning four of their last seven league games on the road (L3), compared to only three wins from their previous 26 (D10, L13). However, they have not beaten City away in the league since December 2010 (D6, L8 since) and face a daunting challenge at the Etihad.

Historically, Moyes has struggled to win away at top sides — in 36 Premier League away games against teams that finished in the top three the previous season, his Everton teams have drawn 12 and lost 24. Across his managerial career, he has managed just one such victory in 58 attempts: a 2-0 win for West Ham at Arsenal in December 2023.

Team News

Jack Grealish is ineligible to play against his parent club, while Michael Keane (rib), Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) and Merlin Rohl (groin) will all face late fitness tests.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is back from suspension and should return to an attacking midfield role behind either Beto or Thierno Barry, with Ndiaye expected to shift to the left wing in Grealish’s absence.

Jake O’Brien will likely partner James Tarkowski in central defence if Keane is unavailable, while the right-back spot should go to either Seamus Coleman or Nathan Patterson.

Conclusion

A trip to the Etihad is one of the toughest assignments in English football, and Everton’s task is made even harder without their influential loanee Grealish.

Manchester City have rediscovered their rhythm and boast a formidable record against the Toffees, having also won seven of their last eight home league games. With Haaland in exceptional form and Guardiola’s side steadily improving, another routine home win appears the most likely outcome.

Verdict: Erling Haaland to score

Best odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Betfair