Credit: Tung Manh Phan/Breaking Media

Cameron Smith

Fri 1 May 2026 15:10, UK

Everton are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, though they face a stern test against title-chasing Manchester City.

The Toffees’ European hopes have taken a significant hit in recent weeks after successive defeats by Liverpool and West Ham.

David Moyes’ side hit back at the London Stadium on Saturday, but the equaliser forced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was cancelled out by a late Callum Wilson strike.

It has still been a positive year overall for the Blues, who are pushing for their first European campaign since 2017, though the season is in danger of fizzling out in the closing weeks.

As they seek to get back on track, they host a Manchester City side intent on keeping the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table.

Form guide

Moyes’ side go into Monday’s clash off the back of a barren run, conceding stoppage time goals against both Liverpool and West Ham.

Since returning from the international break, Everton are winless, with a 2-2 draw against Brentford secured on their return to action last month.

Manchester City, on the other hand, are in flying form.

Unbeaten since March, Pep Guardiola’s side have since booked their spot in the FA Cup final, while the Premier League title could be theirs if they are to keep pace.

Everton (last six games all comps): LLDWLW

Manchester City (last six games all comps): WWWWWW

Head-to-head

Monday’s clash between the pair will be the 201st played out, with the Toffees winless against City since 2017, indicative of the dominance on the blue side of Manchester across the two recent decades.

Everton have faced a title-chasing City on home soil before, though this is the first time that the sides will meet at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Since their first Premier League title win in 2012, Manchester City have lost just twice to the Blues, and they secured a 2-0 win at the Etihad in the reverse fixture in October.

Team news and predicted lineups

Ahead of the clash, Moyes has a big decision to make out wide.

Dwight McNeil’s Everton struggles are continuing, with the wideman once again proving toothless against West Ham.

As a result, the Blues have been increasingly reliant on Iliman Ndiaye, while Jack Grealish would have been ineligible to play against his parent club even if he were fit.

With this in mind, Moyes may finally take the leap of faith and give Tyrique George the chance to impress from the off, with the added pace and drive potentially providing another outlet in a match in which the Toffees will be playing on the counter for the majority.

Alongside this, Beto will come back in after missing the trip to East London, while Michael Keane will continue to deputise for the injured Jarrad Branthwaite.

For Guardiola and Manchester City, Rodri is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a knock sustained in the win against Arsenal.

As a result, Nico O’Reilly may step into midfield alongside Bernardo Silva, allowing Rayan Ait-Nouri to start out at left-back.

Everton predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Beto

Manchester City predicted XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Silva, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland

Manchester City player to watch: Erling Haaland

When it comes to any side facing Manchester City, striker Erling Haaland is the man to watch out for.

With six goals in seven matches against the Toffees, only Gabriel Jesus has scored more in this fixture.

And with 24 goals and seven assists to his name this term, the Norwegian is well on track to finish as the league’s top scorer once again as Guardiola’s side chase the title.

We say: Everton 1-1 Manchester City

While it may not be the result needed to throw themselves back into the European race, Everton are more than capable of picking something up against one of the league’s elite.

With Moyes’ side set to play on the break, they could cause City problems, especially given their recent struggles against Burnley, with the title-chasers struggling to break down the Clarets in a 1-0 win.

A point on Monday could be a lifeline heading into the final rounds of the term, and it would be a point well earned against the relentless Manchester City.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.