PEP Guardiola faces his first major test in his Manchester City tenure this weekend when his star studded squad host Everton at the Ethihad.
City, lost their unbeaten start to the new season last time out with a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham. That defeat came on the back of a very disappointing 3-3 Champions League draw with Celtic, and now the pressure is on for the Premier League leaders to show what they are all about and bounce back with a win.
Despite the loss at White Hart Lane, City are still the bookies odds-on favourites to win the Premier League title; they are just 1.50 across the board to win at the weekend and it certainly won’t be easy, but they should have enough quality to get back to winning ways.
The major concern for me if you’re considering having a serious wager on City is that they have a huge Champions League match with Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night. That might be on Pep’s mind with his team selection ahead of this one, and I am expecting a whole-host of key players to be rested.
Everton haven’t got the best of records in the blue half of Manchester, with no wins in their last seven visits, but they did hold City to a 0-0 draw last year. With City expected to make changes to their lineup, this looks as though it might be another close one.
Ronald Koeman has had a great start to life at Goodison Park. His side arrive at what is their toughest challenge of the new season not in the best of form. After three matches without a win, it’s hard to make any case for them to win this one even at the 7.00 that is available with most firms in their Premier League betting.
Despite all the attacking players that will be on show, goals will be hard to come by, and under 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in the last three Everton matches, plus City might decide to rest their main man Sergio Aguero with Barcelona in midweek.
Four of the last five meetings between these two sides have also seen under 2.5 goals come in, so you may be tempted by the 2.62 with Betfred on under 2.5 goals again.
The evidence edges towards City to snatch a win here, and if they are struggling, they can always call on the big guns to come off the bench and steal the three points for a a 1-0 City win at 10.0 with BetVictor.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
