- City have won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions
- Everton have kept five clean sheets in their last six games
- Recommended bet: Double chance — draw or Everton

Manchester City will be hoping to arrest their alarming slump in form when they welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day.

City’s loss at Aston Villa has left them bottom of the Premier League form table, with just four points from their last eight outings.

It is just one win in 12 for the Citizens across all competitions, as they prepare to host an Everton side that have provided little entertainment this season.

Team news

City are without centre-backs Ruben Dias and John Stones due to injury, while goalkeeper Ederson missed the defeat at Villa and he could be absent for the Boxing Day clash.

Everton are missing winger Dwight McNeil, who joined James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam on the sidelines.

The stats

City are winless in their last four matches in all competitions, drawing one and losing three.

Everton have held Arsenal and Chelsea to goalless draws in their previous two games.

The Citizens have the fewest points of any Premier League side across the last eight matches.

Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded four more goals than Everton this season.

Everton have conceded just 6.9 expected goals across their last seven matches, winning the xG battle on four occasions.

Prediction

Everton head into this clash with City having held two of the top three to 0-0 draws across the previous two game weeks.

Sean Dyche’s side followed up a stalemate against Arsenal at the Emirates by frustrating in-form Chelsea on Sunday.

The Toffees have now kept five clean sheets in their last six starts, helping them to put a little distance between themselves and the drop zone.

While their Boxing Day visit to the Etihad is a big test, there is little to suggest it is harder than clashes with Arsenal and Chelsea.

City have lost three games on the spin ahead of this clash, failing to win their previous four.

They are struggling to create openings, finish chances and keep clean sheets, with their issues now going far deeper than simply Rodri’s absence.

City are low on confidence and this Everton side will prove tough to break down. Not only have they been picking up results, but their underlying numbers point to a fantastic defensive setup.

While Everton have improved defensively, City have fallen apart. The champions have now conceded four goals more than the Toffees this term, showing the extent of their respective swings in form.

Betting against City has been a good tactic across the last couple of months, so take the value available on an improved Everton side to avoid defeat. 

Back draw or Everton at 11/5 with LiveScore Bet

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