Everton can claim a point at home to in-form Manchester City

Everton will welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park aiming to avenge an embarrassing 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Wigan, and they are 5/2 to triumph over the Premier League champions.

The Toffees can take heart from an impressive recent record against City, which has seen them lose just one of the past seven encounters between the pair.

And smarting from that shock loss last time out, the Blues could prove popular with punters to claim a sixth win in their last eight attempts opposing the Citizens.

But Roberto Mancini’s men have been in terrific form themselves of late, and after the Italian chief claimed they couldn’t realistically drop another point all season, they may see support for an away success at 21/20.

City have won their last four games across all competitions, scoring 12 times and failing to concede in those matches too.

That defensive sturdiness will be crucial to the visitors’ chances in this televised tie, but it should be noted that Everton have failed to score in only four league matches this season.

Therefore, the draw could prove the standout call at 12/5, especially considering that that outcome emanated from the reverse fixture earlier this term.

1-1 was the scoreline in that clash, in what was also a televised early Saturday kick-off.

It is 6/1 about an exact repeat of that result, whilst punters may alternatively find interest in the 16/5 odds on a score draw.

In terms of team news, Everton will again be without first-choice goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has fractured two bones in his back.

Slovakian international Jan Mucha will again deputise, and he will be the last line of a defence that will be without England centre-half Phil Jagielka, who requires ankle surgery.

The recurrence of a hamstring problem means Jack Rodwell will miss out on the chance to face his former club for City meanwhile, who have no other fresh injury worries.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.