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Manchester City find themselves outside the top six in the Premier League standings following nine defeats in the last 12 matches across all competitions.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (AP)
After suffering yet another loss in their last match against Aston Villa, Manchester City will now take on Everton on Boxing Day in the Premier League. The defeat at the hands of Aston Villa meant Manchester City succeeded in claiming one win in their last 12 matches across all competitions. Manchester City are currently 12 points behind table-toppers Liverpool. Ahead of the Boxing Day fixture, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted his fear of facing Everton. “They are not the perfect opponent. It is about us to come back to our best. It will take time. We have to get results as quickly as possible. We are facing Everton and they are in a good moment, their results and performances show it,” Guardiola said while speaking at the pre-match press conference, as per GOAL.
Manchester City have had to endure a dismal Premier League outing so far this season. Pep Guardiola’s men find themselves outside the top six in the Premier League standings following nine defeats in the last 12 matches across all competitions.
Apart from the on-field challenges, Manchester City will have to face some selection dilemmas as uncertainty looms large over John Stones, Matheus Nunes and Ederson’s participation against Everton. Stones could not feature fully against Aston Villa following a recurrence of his foot injury. The English defender was substituted at halftime after his first start in a month. Goalkeeper Ederson and Nunes were not part of the matchday squad against Aston Villa last weekend.
Talking about his defensive unit, Pep Guardiola said, as per AFP, “We have just one central defender fit, that is difficult. We don’t have a defence for the results. They are not good.”
“It’s about what I can do with my people to get the results back and continue. If there is a moment that I cannot overthink, it is right now. Try to be simple, stick to my principles and give certainty to the team,” Pep Guardiola added.
With 27 points from 17 matches, Manchester City now occupy the seventh position in the Premier League standings. Liverpool currently claim the top spot having collected 39 points from 17 games. Second-placed Chelsea are four points behind the Reds.