Man City vs Everton Prediction and Betting Tips: 9/1 Bet Builder for Saturday's lunchtime clash

Boasting a game in hand and real momentum at the moment in regards to the season's Premier League title race, Man City kick off a busy Premier League weekend when they take on visitors Everton at the Etihad in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

Scott Thornton is our man for the all blue clash and he has two stats-based tips for punters to follow.

Manchester City have the chance to go top of the Premier League on Saturday, at least until Liverpool take on Burnley later that day, as Pep Guardiola’s side look to extend their exceptional record against Everton.

City were handed the initiative in the title race when Arsenal beat Liverpool at the Emirates last weekend. They now have a game-in-hand over Jurgen Klopp’s side but there is still plenty of work to be done if they are to make it four consecutive league crowns.

Everton are languishing in the bottom three. A poor run of results, coupled with Luton’s resurgence has made relegation a real possibility for the Toffees. Sean Dyche’s side are now without a win in their last six league matches and are a point from safety thanks to their 10-point deduction. There is also the prospect of a further points deduction but the team will be focused on what’s happening on the pitch as we approach a crucial phase of the season.

Manchester City often hit their best form in the business end of the season. They are 12 matches unbeaten coming into this clash and have won their last 10 across all competitions. During that unbeaten run, Pep’s side are averaging 2.83 goals per game and conceding just 0.83.

The Citizens have an exceptional record at the Etihad. They have suffered just one home Premier League defeat since the start of last season and are averaging three goals per game during that run.

Everton haven’t beaten Manchester City since 2017. They lost 3-1 against Pep Guardiola’s side earlier this season and could be in for a long afternoon at the Etihad.

We are backing the hosts to score at least two goals in the first leg of our bet builder. They are averaging 2.93 across 14 home matches across all competitions and have scored two or more in 12 of those. The return of Kevin De Bruyne has made City an even more potent attacking outfit.

We complete our main bet builder by betting under 31.5 in the match. City’s matches have seen the fewest tackles in the Premier League with an average of 28.18 per game; comfortably below the line in our main bet.

Pep Guardiola’s side have the highest average possession in the league. The manager’s approach is no secret. His famed sides have been known for their domination of the football since his success at Barcelona but this approach also has an impact on the tackle count. City are experts at evading the opposition press and their players are often encouraged to move the ball around in search of numerical superiority in certain areas, as opposed to running directly at the opposition.

City go up another level on home turf and their matches at the Etihad this season have seen just 24.21 tackles on average. There were 26 tackles when Everton last visited this ground. There were 27 when the sides met at Goodison Park earlier this season.

Our longer odds bet is using the same angles as the main bet with higher bet lines. We will also be adding both teams to pick up at least two cards each to increase the price.

Both sides have picked up 2+ cards in three of the last four meetings. All three angles in this bet won when the sides squared off earlier in the season.

Both Manchester City and Burnley received two cards in Pep’s side’s last home match despite it being a routine victory.