Everton v Man City: Kompany return won’t help poor Goodison record
Published:Goodison Park has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for Manchester City in the past and there is a strong possibility that they will drop points there again to keep the Premier League title picture wide open.
Manchester City have won just one of their last 13 away games with Everton, being beaten on eight of these occasions.
Meanwhile, the current away form of Roberto Mancini’s team is also not much better, winning just one of their last five Premier League fixtures on the road and this was against bottom club Wigan.
On the whole, Everton have triumphed in seven of their last nine top-flight meetings with Manchester City and 7/2 could prove a big price that this winning form continues.
Alternatively, it is 12/5 that Everton take a point from the clash with the table toppers or 20/21 in the double chance market that David Moyes’ team secure either a win or a draw from the encounter.
Manchester City have looked a little shaky of late, but will definitely improve for the return of captain Vincent Kompany to the heart of their defence, following a four-game ban.
Kompany will return in place of the inexperienced Stefan Savic, who has struggled to grasp his opportunity and has been at fault for a fairly high percentage of the goals the club have conceded of late.
With the Belgian back, Manchester City’s odds of 5/6 will look more tempting and the final result could hinge more than normal on which team scores the first goal.
Manchester City have never won a Premier League game with Everton having conceded the first goal and it is 6/4 that Everton strike first.
Tim Cahill recently ended his lengthy scoring lull against Blackburn and can count Manchester City among his more favoured opposition.
Cahill is 10/1 to break the deadlock, while if he scores at any time in the game, punters will get their stake refunded on all losing first goalscorer bets.
