Date: Wednesday 27th December, 2023
Time: 8:30 pm
Stadium Goodison Park
Referee John Brooks (England)
Goal Scorer:
Everton
Everton boss Dyche was forced into an unplanned midfield alteration after just 24 minutes of his side's battle with Tottenham at the weekend, as Idrissa Gueye sustained an unspecified issue, which the Toffees manager conceded did not look "great".
Gueye's likely absence would open the door for Gomes - who has just returned from his own troublesome calf issue - to make his first start of the new term, although Abdoulaye Doucoure (thigh) has not been ruled out of the visit of the champions just yet either.
Full-back duo Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young are also on Dyche's touch-and-go list with their knocks, while Dele Alli is inching ever closer to his long-awaited comeback from hip surgery but will only be on the bench at best this week.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Garner, Gomes, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin
Manchester City
Speaking of midfielders succumbing to injuries, Man City's indomitable lynchpin Rodri was left in a heap in the Club World Cup final due to a shocking challenge from Fluminense's Alexsander, who scythed the Spaniard down from behind in what Rodri described as one of the worst tackles of his career.
The former Atletico Madrid man did eventually have to be substituted after trying to carry on, but he played down the seriousness of his apparent knee issue after the game and affirmed that he would be fit to start at Goodison Park, where no fewer than three of his teammates could also make their anticipated returns.
Indeed, all of Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Jeremy Doku (muscle) and Erling Haaland (foot) travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup, although having not been risked for the semi-final, they were not permitted to play against Fluminense due to tournament regulations.
Nevertheless, De Bruyne made his return to training in the Middle East after four months out with a thigh problem, but even if he does make his comeback ahead of schedule, he will not be thrown straight back into the first XI so soon.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Akanji, Rodri; Silva, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland
Prediction: Everton 0-1 Manchester City
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