Anjishnu Roy 16/10/2025 11comments  |  Jump to last

Everton will mark their return from the international break with a clash against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Toffees will be without star Jack Grealish, who scored the dramatic stoppage-time winner in the splendid 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace before the break. It was Grealish’s first goal for the club since signing on loan from City this summer.

The Everton number 18, who also won the player of the month award for the first time in his career in August, will be unable to face his parent side this weekend.

It will be interesting to see whether David Moyes opts for a like-for-like replacement in Tyler Dibling or decides to start with Charly Alcaraz, who turned the game around for Everton against Oliver Glasner’s side.

The win against Palace was Everton’s third of the season after picking up three points against Brighton and Wolves before the previous international break and they are eighth in the table with 11 points. 

Manchester City, meanwhile, are just two points ahead and are fifth in the league standings. It was a summer of dramatic change for Pep Guardiola’s side, but they’ve rediscovered their mojo and are unbeaten in their last four league games.

Guardiola’s side have won 14 of the last 18 meetings between the two sides, including the 2-0 win at Goodison Park in April. Everton’s last win over Man City was in the 2016/17 season when Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas, Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman scored in a 4-0 thumping at home.

Manchester City vs Everton - Team News and Predicted Starting XI

Jack Grealish will be the biggest absentee for Everton this weekend as he’s unable to face his parent side. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be reinstated after missing the game against Palace due to an accumulation of bookings.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Rohl have also returned to training with the team. Whether or not they make the squad for Etihad remains to be seen. Both of them are unlikely to start anyway.

As mentioned above, Moyes is likely to start with either Alcaraz or Dibling to make up for Grealish’s absence at Etihad on Saturday. However, Iliman Ndiaye is almost certain to move to the left once again, and Dibling is likely to be more comfortable playing off the right compared to Alcaraz.

Everton’s predicted starting XI: Jordan Pickford (GK), Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Vitalii Mykolenko, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tyler Dibling, Beto, Iliman Ndiaye.

Manchester City vs Everton - Form Guide

Manchester City: L-W-D-W-W

Everton: W-D-L-D-W

When is Manchester City vs Everton?

The Toffees will face Manchester City on Saturday afternoon (October 18). Kick-off is scheduled at 3:00 pm UK time.

Where to Watch Manchester City vs Everton?

The Premier League game between Manchester City vs Everton won’t be available for telecast in UK due to the embargo on Saturday afternoon kickoffs. Highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app and Sky Sports Youtube channel later.

 

Reader Comments (11)

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Clive Rogers
1 Posted 16/10/2025 at 15:39:52
As Dibling was taken off at half-time against Palace, I can't see him starting against Man City.

Alcaraz surely did enough after he came on to warrant a place but probably not on the wing. His best position is beginning to look like centre-midfield, just behind the striker for me.

Jay Harris
2 Posted 16/10/2025 at 17:48:08
4-3-2-1 for me:

Pickford
Obrien Tarks Keane Myko
Garner Gana KDH
Alcaraz Ndiaye
Beto

Derek Knox
3 Posted 16/10/2025 at 22:53:43
Jay, not a bad line up if selected BUT Ndiaye as a false number 9 and Dibling in !

Beto, is about as much use as an Ash-Tray on a I o M TT Bike !

Jay Harris
4 Posted 17/10/2025 at 00:10:08
I think Beto would be good against City, Derek.

They play a high line so he can get in behind them and he is physical in the air which Stones and Dias will not like.

Against other teams I agree with you.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
5 Posted 17/10/2025 at 05:28:15
Alcaraz deserves to start after last outing, and he’s best in the middle. For me it’s KDH out wide left and Ndiaye remains on the right, but I’m okay with Dibling coming in and Ndiaye moving to the left, with KDH on the bench. Also depends on if Keane is healthy, because if he isn’t then Garner goes to right back and either Iroebugnam or KDH slots into the middle. No chance Moyes plays a false nine, unless Beto and Barry go 5 more matches without a goal or we go on a losing streak.
Ian Wilkins
6 Posted 17/10/2025 at 12:09:23
Slightly off piste, sorry, but how close did we come to disaster with Josh Wander and 777 Partners.
Moshiri ( and or his backers) would have done that deal without doubt and arguably had us receiving ill gotten funding before it was quickly repaid by TFG.
It was only the PL ‘fit and proper financial requirements’ that held this off.
I think we got away with one, a pretty big one. It feels like we were pretty close to an unmitigated disaster. Someday perhaps the whole truth will come out…hopefully not in a court of law.
Andrew Merrick
7 Posted 17/10/2025 at 12:22:48
And. Jarrard and Rohl are back on the grass...this game will be too soon, but its good news :)
Jake FitzGerald
8 Posted 17/10/2025 at 12:27:11
Keane out so that must mean Garner at rb and Iroegbunam back in mid.
Tom Bowers
9 Posted 17/10/2025 at 12:56:56
Will be tough at the Etihad or anywhere else for that matter.

We have had some good results so far but are still way off being a competitive outfit.

We know City have great depth and I would feel better if Grealish and Branthwaite were available.

Moyes will probably play Alcaraz ahead of Dibling and go with 4-4-1-1.

Christy Ring
10 Posted 17/10/2025 at 13:17:59
Jake#8 Jake I don't think Moyes mentioned Keane at all in his press conference, I presume he's fit, he did say Patterson was out? If Keane is out, I'd play O'Brien in the middle and Seamus at fullback, he excelled for Ireland, played against Portugal and played for an hour on Tuesday, I'd definitely keep Garner in midfield.
Jake FitzGerald
11 Posted 17/10/2025 at 13:30:36
You’re right, Christy - I misread that. Apologies.
I’d play Seamus too. Doku might wear him out a bit, though.

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