Jeff Stelling predicts result of Everton trip to Manchester City for Sky Sports
Jeff Stelling has predicted that things are going to get worse before they get better for Everton with a heavy defeat at Manchester City.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 95th-minute winner condemned the Toffees to defeat on Boxing Day in the first game back after the World Cup, and a trip to face Erling Haaland and City on New Year’s Eve was likely not what Frank Lampard will have wanted for the rebound.
Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-1 at Leeds on Wednesday night (28 December), with the Norwegian scoring twice to reach 20 from the fewest games in Premier League history.
As such, Stelling has predicted a 3-0 home win for his Sky Sports Super6 predictions, meaning no let up from the mounting pressure for Everton.
In his words: “Elsewhere, Manchester City will romp to victory against Everton.”
Free hit?
Not that the Toffees can really afford to pass up any chances to take valuable points currently, but there won’t be many who expect them to get anything at the Etihad.
A solid performance after the heartbreak of an injury-time sickener would be a positive sign, and scoring in a second consecutive game would also help.
If those two boxes can be ticked then the potential to spring a surprise would be boosted, which if it happens would be very welcome for fans and manager right now.
A return for Dominic Calvert-Lewin would improve those chances, but given his appalling luck with injury set backs Lampard may opt against including him if he is in any doubt.
Conor Coady is surely set to return to the line up following the Wolves defeat, where he was ineligible to play against his parent club.
But whoever plays needs to find their finishing boots, with stand-in defender Yerry Mina the only one to find the net at Goodison despite inviting opportunities for both Anthony Gordon and Neal Maupay.