Finally a Premier League dugout Roberto Mancini will recognise, possibly. For 45 minutes the Italian sat on the away bench at Goodison before being introduced in place of Matt Jones at half-time of Leicester’s 2-1 defeat in February 2001. Everton finished 16th that year, the season before David Moyes arrived and began to mould the side that finished fourth in 2005. To replicate the Scot’s achievement is the minimum asked of Mancini and a resurgent Everton represent the sternest test of his credentials thus far. Mikey Stafford
Venue Goodison Park Tickets £30 (0871 663 1878) Last season Everton 1 Man City 1 Referee A Marriner
This season’s matches 15 Y61, R7, 4.53 cards per game
sportingbet odds Everton 17-10 Man City 7-5 Draw 11-5
Everton
Subs from Nash, Neill, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Duffy, Mustafi, Coleman, Agard, Baxter, Wallace
Doubtful None Injured Rodwell, Gosling (both hamstring, 23 Jan), Jagielka (knee, Feb), Anichebe (knee, Feb), Hibbert (hernia, Feb), Arteta (knee, unknown) International duty Yakubu, Yobo Suspended Jô (internal sanction)
Form guide DWDDDD Disciplinary record Y32 R1
Leading scorer Saha 10
Man City
Subs from Taylor, Petrov, Robinho, Sylvinho, Santa Cruz, Boyata, Ibrahim, Wright-Phillips Doubtful Wright-Phillips (ankle), Barry (groin)
Injured Onuoha (calf, 26 Jan), Ireland (hamstring, 23 Jan), Bridge (knee, 31 Jan)
International duty Touré
Compassionate leave Adebayor Suspended None
Form guide WWWWLD Disciplinary record Y27 R2
Leading scorer Tevez 12
Match pointers
• Everton have lost just one of the last nine league home matches. However, their win over Burnley ended a run of six home games without a win or a clean sheet
• City have lost just two away matches this season, the joint-fewest along with Spurs
• 32% of the league goals Everton have scored this season have come in the final 15 minutes, the highest proportion in the division
• Carlos Tevez has scored 10 league goals in seven games since the start of December
• Robinho has made 21 shots since his last league goal
EvertonManchester CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk
