Everton v Man City is Saturday’s big FA Cup tie and we take a look at the tactics…
Tactical pattern
Everton are a difficult team to read at the moment, with up-and-down form that is in keeping with their season. They have lost each of their last two Premier League games, which points to a potential formation change from Carlo Ancelotti (see below) and means their 2-0 win over Liverpool is the best indicator of how they will line up here.
It should be a relatively non-confrontational approach in which emphasis is placed on counter-attacks moved through Richarlison and Lucas Digne on the left flank. Manchester City will no doubt dominate possession, forcing Everton into a low block, and their success in this game could come down to how effectively Allan patrols central midfield and distributes the first pass of the counter.
Key battle zone
City pack the middle of the park with bodies to overwhelm their opponents, and with Abdoulaye Doucoure out injured Everton probably won’t be able to stop them. Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Andre Gomes are all relatively ineffective at winning tackles or holding their shape; each adds to a porous midfield that should ensure the spare man Joao Cancelo, arriving from right-back, can make this a comfortable win for the visitors.
Back Man City to win with a -1 handicap at 10/11 (Betfair)
However, Cancelo is also involved in a key battle at the other end. Richarlison, with Digne overlapping, represents Everton’s best chance of scoring, so it is worth noting how effectively Cancelo can move back from midfield into his right-back position. This is a potential – though small – area of weakness in Pep Guardiola’s system.
Keep an eye on… Ancelotti’s choice of formation
Ancelotti certainly keeps us guessing. He has picked six distinct formations in the last seven games alone, adapting his tactics depending on the aesthetic of the opposition, which makes the pattern of this match hard to predict. Everton will need to make sure there are bodies in midfield, as well as a spare man at the back: the most likely choice is the same 5-3-2 that led to a 2-0 win at Liverpool.
This formation gives room for Digne to get further forward on the break; ensures two forward options are available for longer passes over the top of the City defence; and has two rows of three in defence and midfield to defend against Guardiola’s use of the central column.
One to watch… Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero’s second-half penalty at Fulham last weekend was Man City’s 64th Premier League goal of the season – and Aguero’s first. The 32-year-old’s campaign has been badly disrupted by injury so far, but that penalty on his first start since October will have done his confidence a world of good.
It’s good news for Man City, too, who despite being on course for a quadruple this season could do with a reliable centre-forward. If Aguero scores at Goodison Park, City’s chances of a clean sweep will go up.
Back Aguero to score any time at 5/6 (Paddy Power)
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