1. The Ageing Everton Defence
To combat point 2, Everton will rely on the experience and determination of central pairing Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, both of whom have tons of games under their belts. That also means they are ageing. I honestly do not think that with the rigours of the modern game and the speed in Man City's line-up the Anglo-French connection at the heart of Everton's defence will stand strong. With Leighton Baines desperate to claim the left-back position for England, he is also under pressure to show a varied side to his game and I feel that he will try too hard to impress, rather then go about his game quietly as is his style. At right-back the returning David Silva could come up against the archaeological find of Tony Hibbert. I heard on the grapevine Coleman may be pushed up the pitch to the RM role so I feel this move could provide Everton with their 'weakest link'. Man City have scored 8 goals from crosses this season, twice as many as the next best side. This stat highlights the pressure the Everton defence will be under when they make the trip to the Etihad. The full backs will have to balance carefully their defensive and attacking responsibilities, lest they be caught out high up the pitch and exposed to a stinging City counter attack. Also City are the only team left to not concede in the first half of any of their matches, indicating that Everton will be put under heavy pressure from the off. Can the legs of Hibbert and co defy time and space, keeping up with the young bucks likely peppered in the City line-up? Man City 4 Everton 2 is my prediction.