***Everton v Champions Official Match Thread***

[nottsblue]

Back to the PL. And away at the shithole that is Everton. They will be reinvigorated after their surprise thrashing of Brighton and are fighting for PL survival. This won't be an easy fixture. Remember they somehow got a point at our place on NYE. Very lucky, but a point nonetheless

They will likely set up like they did at Brighton. Sit back, let us have the ball and hit us on the counter. A bit like the rags and Spurs do. And we are sometimes susceptible to this.

An early goal will settle the nerves though and I expect us to come out of the traps flying. The title is in our hands and getting closer. I don't expect us to let it go

2-0 Foden

[salford city]

Big test but each game is when we are at the business end of the season. Let's not overthink the changes and games coming up. As branny said in the other thread, win this and move on. Keep the pressure on arsenal. Goodison will be rocking for this

[Simister]

Big test but each game is when we are at the business end of the season. Let's not overthink the changes and games coming up. As branny said in the other thread, win this and move on. Keep the pressure on arsenal. Goodison will be rocking for this

Still reeling from being beaten in the Eurovision by five old Croatian blokes in underkecks.

[dick dastardley]

A win no matter how we get it, is all that matters, oh and Brighton better turn up today and put a shift in.

[Mase]

Just win

[Nigels Tackle]

Just win

this. confident we will. also think that brighton will get something at the emirates

[Kippax Sean]

It's imperative we get the 3pts today, hopefully a few rested as they resembled a flogged horse last time out. A win today and we'll be in high spirits going into Wednesday 100% focused on CL. Come on City!

[PeterParker]

Are we one up yet?

[CTID Hants]

XI | Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland

SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Stones, Grealish, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis

Hays Worldwide

[Mase]

That team should be good enough. Such a shame Pep has zero confidence in Phillips because this is literally what he was bought for, to give Rodri a rest when needed.

[Nickyboy]

Bit of a risk playing Walker when he's the only defender we have who can match Vinicous Junior for Pace.

Team is strong enough to get a few ahead and then wrap Haaland, Dias and Walker in cotton wool

[Kippax Sean]

Hopefully we won't need to bring on KDB Bernie and Grealish and are out of site by 60 mins. Give the youngsters and Philips 30mins and rest as much as possible.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Bit of a risk playing Walker when he's the only defender we have who can match Vinicous Junior for Pace.

Team is strong enough to get a few ahead and then wrap Haaland, Dias and Walker in cotton wool

Agree with this - Walker is one of the key players who should rest out this game .
Having said that , if we go 2 up then I’d hope pep subs him off .

[Harry Dowd scored]

Expecting a tough game today, they are in a fight to stay up, never easy against that kind of team, however you would think our quality would trump their effort. Think 2-1 City.

[blues2win]

Nonetheless he didn’t so it’s right to leave him out. It would be great if Rodri could be pulled after an hour for Bernardo who’s perfectly capable of playing a pivot role if needed. I wouldn’t count on it though. Should certainly be good enough on paper. Kevin, Bernie and Grealish fit and flying hopefully for Wednesday.

[nottsblue]

XI | Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland

SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Stones, Grealish, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis

Hays Worldwide

If anything I think we could be a little too heavy up front and lack a little in the middle of the park. But there are definitely goals in this team

Come on City

[blues2win]

Walker presumably playing to deal with McNeil who’s scored 7 goals this season playing as a winger.

[johnny crossan]

XI | Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland

SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Stones, Grealish, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis

Hays Worldwide

If anything I think we could be a little too heavy up front and lack a little in the middle of the park. But there are definitely goals in this team

Come on City

4 left footers- Bernie for Gundo second half would make it 5

[dazby]

Faaaaark. Rodri again?

Phillips must be so garbage in Pep's book.

[Beefymcfc]

Come on City!