Everton's predicted starting XI for Manchester City clash | OneFootball

Everton plays host to Manchester City, coming off a stunning victory away at Nottingham Forest, where Abdoulaye Doucoure's stoppage time goal earned the Toffees all three points away from home.

The victory, and a subsequent collapse by Manchester United away to Newcastle, sees Everton up to 38 points, good for 13th place in the current league table.

And with safety no longer an issue (the Toffees are clear of 18th-place Ipswich by 17 points heading into Matchday 33), David Moyes' squad can maybe start to look above them in the table and see how high they can climb.

They'll host reigning champions Manchester City on Saturday at Goodison Park.

Although it hasn't been the season that the Sky Blues were hoping for coming off a very successful 2023/24 campaign, they currently sit in 5th, a spot that will be good for a Champions League berth due to Newcastle's triumph over Liverpool in the EFL Cup.

City have been on a good run of form since a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on March 8, winning three of their five matches since then in all competitions.

This includes a 5-2 smashing of Crystal Palace at the Ethiad, a match that saw City go down 2-0 inside of the first 21 minutes, before equalizing before the break and scoring three more times after the interval.

With Chelsea nipping at their heels, Manchester City still have plenty to play for to hold their Champions League place, so even if they're out of the title race, it doesn't mean they'll be ready to capitulate to Everton without a fight.

That said, Everton have just three matches left at Goodison Park including Saturday's clash, so the atmosphere will make the Old Lady a difficult visit for City.

The question will be whether or not Moyes will change much in his starting XI, given the Toffees' generally good form since he took over.

All signs point to the Scot maintaining the status quo, although Dwight McNeil's bright and impactful cameo at Forest could ask some questions of Moyes' decision. But given that the England international is just returning from a long-term injury, it's more likely he's due for another substitute appearance at this stage.

With that in mind, expect to see the following starting XI on Saturday.

Predicted Everton lineup vs Manchester City (4-2-3-1)

Everton FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Jordan Pickford (GK): He's Everton and England's no.1, so there's no doubt about his inclusion here.

Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): The Ukrainian is back fit and is really the squad's only first-team left back. He'll be here barring late injury.

James Tarkowski (CB): The club's deputy captain has been a rock at the back for Everton since his arrival and should continue to do so on Saturday.

Jarrad Brathwaite (CB): The 22-year-old English defender has the pace and skill to be among the top defenders in the world, so he's a definite starter as well.

Jake O'Brien (RB): The Irishman has been a revelation since Moyes arrived and has done nothing to lose his place.

Midfielders

Idrissa Gana Gueye (CDM): The 35-year-old has been a stalwart in the heart of the Everton defense this season, creating a barrier between the opponent's midfield and the Toffees' defenders.

James Garner (CM): Since Orel Mangala went down with an injury, Garner has been the main option next to Gana in midfield. There's always a chance that Tim Iroegbunam pops into this spot, but it doesn't seem likely.

Abdoulaye Doucoure (AMF): There might be some question about Doucoure's inclusion, but given that Everton will more than likely be absorbing a lot of pressure from the visitors and not having much of the ball, the Mali international's position makes more sense than someone like Charly Alcaraz.

Forwards

Iliman Ndiaye (LW): Although the Senegalese's best position remains as a central attacking midfielder, there's no question that he is Everton's best attacking player at the moment. He's penned in as a starter when healthy.

Jack Harrison (RW): The England international and Leeds loanee is coming off one of his better matches of the season in the win over Forest. McNeil will feature eventually, but likely not from the jump.