However, four points have been plundered over the last two seasons, and City won both home games during that period too.
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“‘HUNGRY and angry”, was how Manuel Pellegrini described his players after losing out on the Premier League title last season.
While the pair – and Fernandinho – capably dealt with Chelsea’s bruising centre-forward, Diego Costa, last weekend, all three will be required to deal with the Toffees’ battering ram Romelu Lukaku on Sunday.
Manchester City are now on an eight-game winning run in the Premier League, their best PL run of wins since January 2014. But their trips to Goodison Park are historically tough given the rivalry there is between those two teams, and with Everton unbeaten in their two matches – the latter of which was a 3-0 win away at Southampton – confidence will be running high in Roberto Martinez’s squad.
Everton is also undefeated but ranks below Man City in points. They have the look of a complete team and seem to have ironed out some of those defensive frailties which cost them so badly last campaign. Joe Hart has been solid, but the center back pairing of Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala have kept opposing attacks very quiet so far this season.
After two games of the Premier League season, Ross Barkley has already equalled his top-flight goal haul from last season (2). Everton have 10 victories and there have been five draws in that period. Martinez is expected to be without fan-favourtie Leighton Baines until November as he is recovering from an ankle injury. Another defender, Tony Hibbert, is also absent, along with Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar.
Southampton had 14 shots from inside the area against Everton and the Toffees can not afford to allow City that many, particularly Aguero.
Manchester City are without Fernando and Pablo Zabaleta.
David Silva: Top creative force of Manchester City last few terms, Silva has created chances, delivered assists, split opponents’ defences with his passing, and brought so much flair into the side of the Citizens.
City actually have a poor record at Goodison Park – they’ve only won there three times in the Premier League era.
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Key Player: Sergio Aguero – The Argentinian is unplayable at the top of his game.
