Manchester City vs Everton – Capital One Cup – Preview

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Sreya

Manchester City will host Everton at the Etihad on 27th January, Wednesday as they aim to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals. Manuel Pellegrini’s side is coming off a 2-2 draw against West Ham United last Saturday while Everton fell to yet another defeat at Goodison Park on Sunday against Swansea.

Roberto Martinez’s side will be hopeful of their chances considering City’s recent defensive frailties and attacking bluntness – should Everton choose to park the bus at the Etihad as they have shown before this year in a Premier League fixture, Manchester City will find it extremely difficult to create chances.

Pellegrini’s side need two goals to go through to the finals, with the League Cup rules indicating a 1-0 win will come handy only after extra-time. Martinez has his own problems with his strike force boasting of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley struggling with their finishing in the recent weeks.

Lukaku, however, has been a proverbial thorn against Manchester clubs in the last few years and was in tremendous form, scoring twelve goals in twelve fixtures preceding his three-match goalless streak. He was one of the goalscorers alongside Ramiro Funes Mori when Everton won the first leg 2-1 at the Goodison Park.

Team News

Vincent Kompany and Samir Nasri are the only long term injury concerns for Manuel Pellegrini. Willy Caballero is expected to start in goal, as has been the norm for City’s cup ties this season.

Muhamed Besic (hamstring) and Kevin Mirallas (knee) picked up injuries during the weekend and will be absent for Everton. While Seamus Coleman might face a late fitness test, Tony Hibbert and James McCarthy are still sidelined through injuries.

Thoughts From Both Camps

It’s the third time we’ll play Everton in one month – we know their team. The most important thing is to try to play another final at Wembley. That is our target. Maybe Everton haven’t been in a final for many years and they will be motivated but our team will do all they can to get there too.”

– Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City.

You want every player to show the mentality of being ready and that the team can rely on that individual. Every player has to have that mentality. It will be an enormous landmark for the club if we can reach the final of the League Cup.

– Roberto Martinez, Everton.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Manchester City have won 38% of their encounters with Everton. Pellegrini’s side are likely to progress with 2-0 being the most probable result of this fixture.