SPORT : Everton vs Man City game called off

 

Monday night football between Manchester City and Everton has been postponed, because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the City squad.

It is the second Premier League fixture to be called off this season due to Coronavirus outbreak, after Aston Villa vs Newcastle earlier this month.

On Christmas Day, Manchester City announced Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker had tested positive for coronavirus, along with two members of club staff.

The club has now closed their first-team training ground.

A Manchester City statement read: “After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day.

“With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.

“Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture.”

SPORT : Everton’s, predicted line up against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City Side

 

Everton have been relatively impressed under Carlo Ancelotti and they are placed second in the table after beating Sheffield United last time out.

They are just three points adrift of Merseyside rivals Liverpool and their run of wins in a row has defined their surge up to the EPL log.

The Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Manchester City duel. Though he will make do without six of his key players.

The major players to be missing out here include Allan, James Rodriguez, Lucas Digne and Richarlison while Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph are relatively sidelined for this match.

The unavailability of the four important players could see the Toffees approach the game with a defensive platform.

With Lucas Digne not available, Ben Godfrey should take up the left-back role, though Seamus Coleman could return to the starting eleven to feature at the right back.

Yerry Mina and Michael Keane should continue as Everton defensive pair in the central defence while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should keep his place in goal.

In the midfield, Tom Davies should partner Abduolaye Duocoure in, pivot with the two sitting behind to stifle what Kevin De Bruyne may be trying to make out for his side in transition.

Gylfi Sigurdsson will continue on the number 10 role looking to pull the string for his side in the attacking third.

With the match coming too early for James Rodriguez (Colombia) and Richarlison (Brazil), Alex Iwobi and Bernard are expected to feature in their stead on both flanks.

In the attack, the in-form top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin should spearhead the charge for goals for his Everton side.

Everton probable eleven against Manchester City in a 4-2-3-1 Formation Scheme.

Jordan Pickford; Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey; Abdoulaye Duocoure; Ben Davies; Alex Iwobi, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Bernard; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

SPORT : Everton vs Manchester City, Key battles in Goodison Park showdown

 Carlo Ancelotti’s men would do battle against Manchester City as the game looms at Goodison Park.

It will be a scintillating round of football in the 90 minutes contest as the likes of Pep Guardiola and Italian Ancelotti’s test might be in the Coaching dugout.

While the two managers duel on the sidelines, players would also compete against each other on the pitch.

 takes a look at the key battles ahead of the showdown at Goodison on Park.

Michael Keane vs. Sergio Aguero

The match would present a high profile contest between these two individuals personnel as the game draws closer by the minutes.

Manchester City star Sergio Aguero will test his might with the English defender Michael Keane though the striker is just returning to match fitness.

But Keane’s technical awareness in the heart of Everton’s defence should provide the right measure for him to compete against Sergio Aguero as the match looms in earnest.

Gylfi Sigurdsson vs. Fernandinho

The Brazilian will stage a comeback for this match as Sigurdsson’s creativity would be on the line when Fernandinho competes with him on the field of play.

Both managers would rely on the quality both players could present in the game as we envisage an intriguing duel between the two football brains.

Sigurdsson is in-form after scoring the winner against the Blades but it’s no guarantee he would come out on top in this one against the former Shakhtar Donetsk defensive midfielder.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin vs. John Stones

Everton’s top marksman Calvert-Lewin will be on the ascendancy as he faces his opposite number in the Everton/City clash on Monday.

He is one of the leading goal scorers in the EPL and his case may be too much for John Stones to handle, though the City defender has been in good stead in recent times.

It promises to be an interesting battle between these English players on the pitch much as their contributions could determine the pendulum of this match in earnest.

Let’s hope that both English stars will produce the required measure we anticipate in this tie as Calvert-Lewin looks to add to his tally at the expense of John Stones defensive strength on the occasion.

SPORT : EPL, Mark Lawrenson predicts score lines of Everton vs Man City, Chelsea vs Aston Villa

 

Former Liverpool player, Mark Lawrenson, has predicted Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to secure a 2-0 win against Everton when both teams clash in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Monday night.

Lawrenson also backed Frank Lampard’s Chelsea to beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in today’s Premier League fixture.

“Everton had to scrap for their win over Sheffield United, but they’re quite happy to do that side of things – and they got the job done too,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.

“From what I saw of Manchester City’s win over Newcastle, it was quite typical of their season so far. They were always the better team, but there were some big chances missed by Pep Guardiola’s side and they never fully got into their stride.

“It was another win for City though, and another clean sheet. I think they will be able to cope with what Everton throw at them, and find a way of getting the three points this time too. Everton 0, Man City 2.”

Commenting on the Chelsea vs Aston Villa match, Lawrenson said, “I’m not surprised Chelsea boss Frank Lampard criticised his side’s performance in their defeat by Arsenal, because they were well short.

“The Blues have now lost 3 of their last 4 league games, and this next test is also far from easy, against an Aston Villa side that is playing well and is full of confidence.

“Villa had to play with ten men for the whole second half of their win over Crystal Palace but still looked the more dangerous side going forward.

“I am still going with Chelsea here though because I think we’ll see a reaction from their players. They cannot be as bad as that again, surely?

“Whatever happens to Villa at Stamford Bridge, they’ve still given themselves an excellent platform for the rest of the season. It took them 24 games to reach 25 points last season, so they’ve done it in nine games fewer this time.

“Being realistic, I do not see them challenging for the top four, but they have already proved a lot of people wrong with their results so far. Chelsea 2, Aston Villa 0.”

The kick-off time for Everton vs Man City is 9 pm, while that of Chelsea vs Aston Villa is 6:30 pm.

SPORT : Transfer, Arteta to move for Barcelona midfielder in January

 Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, is considering a move for Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig when the January transfer window opens.

Puig has been made available for loan following a falling out with Barca manager Ronald Koeman, according to The Athletic.

Arteta is in the market for a creative midfielder, with the likes of Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt on the shortlist.

However, a more opportunistic option has emerged in the shape of Puig.

The 21-year-old was watched on several occasions by Arsenal’s scouts before they were made redundant and will be allowed to leave Camp Nou when the window reopens.

Puig has struggled to impress Koeman and has only made an appearance in La Liga this season – a three-minute cameo against Getafe.

He has not been handed a start at all in any competition, with Koeman rather scathing in his assessment of the young midfielder recently.

SPORT : English Premier League, Interesting games to watch on Match Day 16

The Premier League continues to roll in mouth-watering games across various match venues in the English topflight.

And it will be a great feat to witness the games involving Chelsea and Liverpool as both sides look to make-up in this Day 16 fixtures.

Arsenal returned to winning ways against Chelsea while Leicester City drew 2-2 with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United.

The Citizens were spot on beating the Magpies 2-0, thanks to strikes from Ferran Torres and Ikay Gundogan.

This week promises to be even more interesting as Match Day 16 clashes begin.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

It promises to be a grand finale of a game to envisage at Stamford Bridge as the Blues go head to head against London rival Aston Villa.

Dean Smith’s men would be confident ahead of this match after claiming a 0-3 away win at the weekend even as Chelsea are in desperate measures after losing 3-1 at the Emirates.

The festive period seems to have been a tough period for Frank Lampard and his wards as they continue from one London derby to another, having faced West Ham United and Arsenal in the last two games.

Visitors, Aston Villa would fancy their chances away from home since they’ve nothing to lose playing against Chelsea on the road.

It could be an uphill task for Chelsea who is expected to make changes to the side owing to their defeat on Boxing Day against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Everton vs. Manchester City

Manchester City would be in the quest to beat Everton but the home side could be somehow the favourite going into this match owing to the threat they’ve got going forward.

Their form suggests they are in the best possible shape to claim the vital points since they are at home in the contest.

Carlo Ancelotti would be aiming for a win against Pep Guardiola as pride would be at stake between the two managers.

Everton claimed a 0-1 home against Chelsea thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson early Penalty goal.

And they would be confident they can achieve the same against Pep Guardiola’s men though Sergio Aguero is available for the Sky Blue side in this all-important Premier League clash.

Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

It will be a mouth-watering encounter when both sides clash at Old Trafford. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be gunning for the three points at home after dropping two points at the King Power Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers’ men pushed United to the limit before they were able to get their goal for the equalizer thanks to Jamie Vardy who forced an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe with few minutes remaining.

On the Wolves side, they managed to crawl their way back in the match against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side and they would have the ultimate believe that they can get something out of this game.

The Red Devils side has shown some level of inconsistency in the Premier League especially at (Old Trafford) and it will interest the visitors as they aim to pull off an impressive display away from home in this one.

Man Utd vs Wolves, Solskjaer hints at Cavani’s future

 

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has hinted that Edinson Cavani Uruguayan could extend his stay at Old Trafford.

The 33-year-old joined as a free agent on a one-year deal in October, after seven years with Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Cavani has mainly been given cameo roles so far, Solskjaer is confident there is more to come from the forward.

“He’s definitely a starter, you don’t classify a player of his quality as anything else,” Solskjaer said.

“I trust him and that’s the thing, we have good competition for places but he’ll probably start more games than he won’t.”

Solskjaer also believes the Uruguayan forward could have an impact not just for the rest of this campaign but beyond as well.

“He’s so meticulous, professional, his habits – everything about him shows why he has had the career he has had,” Solskjaer added.

“At the moment it looks like he has got a few years left in him – even at the age he is, he is still one of the fittest players we have got.

“I wouldn’t say anything else other than he has made a great impact when he has come here and let’s just focus on improving everyone.”