Man City vs Everton LIVE commentary: Guardiola desperate to stop woeful run on Boxing Day: Kick-off time, team news and talkSPORT coverage
Manchester City have the chance to finally put an end to their terrible Boxing Day form when they host Everton, live on talkSPORT.
After losing against Villa Aston last weekend, Pep Guardiola's team They have now won just one match in their last 12 in all competitions.
The reigning champions have been seen dropping to seventh place in the first division and their hopes of a fifth consecutive title are almost over.
They desperately need three stitches to get rid of the negativity, but there's no guarantee they'll get the gift they want this Christmas.
Everton They are the visitors of the Etihad and they come to this match after drawing against both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Man City vs Everton: a Christmas miracle
Who would have thought Man City would be expecting a Christmas miracle this year?
Especially before a match, in theory they should win at home against a relegation contender.
But in reality, City's form indicates that they need something special to finally end their misfortune over the last month.
GuardiolaThe men have lost nine of their last 12 games while earning fewer points than any other Premier League team since the beginning of November.
This is unprecedented form for a team as good as the Citizens, but they will still have some faith that they can win again.
And against Everton, they are hopeful considering they are unbeaten in their last 13 home games against the Toffees and have only lost one of their last 22 league games.
So history certainly supports the possibilities of The early start of Boxing Day finally achieving a much needed victory at Manchester City.
- This is the second Premier League meeting between Man City and Everton on Boxing Day, with the Toffees winning the other 2-1 in 2004.
- Manchester City have won six of their last seven Premier League Boxing Day matches, with the exception of a 2-1 defeat at Leicester in December 2018. Since returning to the top flight in 2002, the Citizens have won the seven Boxing matches. Matches of the day at home by an aggregate score of 24-7.
- Everton have not lost any of their last eight away games on Boxing Day (5 wins, 3 draws) since a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa in 2005. Everton also won the last time they faced the reigning champions that day, beating Leicester City 2-0 in 2016.
Man City vs Everton: team news
City's lack of quality has coincided with injuries, especially in defence, and Ruben Dias recently joined Nathan Ake on the bench.
Juan Piedras and Manuel Akanji have just returned to the team and are not in top form either, while Matheus Nunes, Rodri and Oscar Bobb are also out.
Goalie Ederson He missed the last game due to a knock and is not expected to return against Everton, so Stefan Ortega will start.
Kevin De Bruyne should return to the lineup after not having minutes at Aston Villa while Jack Grealish either Phil Foden could be replaced.
Savinho and Jeremy Doku are waiting in the wings to take his place if necessary.
As for Everton, it is unlikely that Sean Dyche He will make many changes to his team after impressive consecutive draws.
The Toffees have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games with the same four defenders, but Ashley Young is suspended so the change applies.
Seamus Coleman is expected to take his place at right back while the rest of the lineup should remain.
- Only the current top four teams, Liverpool (16), Arsenal (16), Chelsea (19) and Nottingham Forest (19), have conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season than Everton (21), with Jordan Pickford registering more clean sheet than anyone else. Another goalkeeper this season (7).
- Manchester City have conceded the first goal in nine different Premier League games this season; only the teams currently in the bottom four have done so more often this season (Leicester 13, Wolves 12, Southampton 12).
Man City vs Everton: What has been said?
Guardiola has admitted that he and his team have to learn as they go during their terrible form this season.
He said: “I learn. They learn. We think about Everton and not much else. You lose another game and you have to think about what to do in the next one to win.
“I am here to give my answer, but I have no defense. I said when you lose a lot of games, it's a business and you have to win.
“This team was consistent for a long time and we broke all the records, now we are on the other side, that's the truth. We have to find a way.
“We are in that position, sometimes everything is more difficult, but the players have to say 'well, we will try'.
“In the end it's just a game. You can win games, lose games, be the same, change things, but it's just a game.
“We faced it when we won a lot and it was exceptional, but now it is a game in which we are experiencing a different part that we did not expect.
“I don't know what the outcome will be, but life presents you with that challenge and you have to face it. “I’m dealing with it as much as I can.”
- Everton have not lost any of their last eight away games on Boxing Day (5 wins, 3 draws) since a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa in 2005. Everton also won the last time they faced the reigning champions that day, beating Leicester City 2-0 in 2016.
- Everton have been involved in five of nine 0-0 draws in the Premier League this season (56%). This is the Toffees' most goalless draws in a single campaign since 2008-09 (also 5), while the last time they had more was in 1998-99 (8).
Man City vs Everton: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Thursday, December 26.
Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
talkSPORT will have live coverage of the Boxing Day meeting presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England defender Danny Mills.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen through the talkSPORT appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with the latest news on ohyour dedicated live blog.