Manchester City kick off the Boxing Day action in the Premier League this year as they host Everton at the Etihad Stadium.
The champions were beaten 2-1 at Aston Villa last time out to leave them on a run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions, with only one victory to their name since October 26.
Injury problems have caused a real issue for Pep Guardiola as he attempts to navigate the trickiest period of his managerial career, and City would well be looking light on defensive options on Thursday.
Everton, meanwhile, are largely operating with a clean bill of health and managed to hold Chelsea to a goalless draw on December 22. Having lost all but one of their past 14 games with City, could the Toffees get another positive result?
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news and predicted lineups.
MORE: All the latest EPL club news | Team-by-team Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Man City vs. Everton lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
City will be without Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake until at least early January, and the loss of John Stones at halftime of the defeat to Villa leaves them looking very light in terms of defensive options.
Goalkeeper Ederson missed the Villa Park trip — Guardiola said he did “not feel good” — and Matheus Nunes is also a doubt, so City’s starting lineup could look more than a little makeshift.
Kevin De Bruyne did not get off the bench last time out, so he could be thrown in from the start here. Rico Lewis could move into midfield to give the tired-looking Ilkay Gundogan a rest.
Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1, right to left): Ortega (GK) — Walker, Akanji, Gvardiol — Lewis, Kovacic — Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish — Haaland
Injured: Rodri (knee), Bobb (leg), Dias (muscle), Ake (thigh), Stones (foot), Ederson (illness), Nunes (knock)
Suspended: None
MORE: All the latest Man City news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Sean Dyche said last week that Timothy Iroegbunam and James Garner were “behind the curve” in their recoveries, and neither is likely to return until mid-January.
Dwight McNeil could be back after sitting out the Chelsea draw with a knee issue, although Dyche will be wary of rushing him back too early. Armando Broja will be available after being ineligible to face his parent club last time out.
Ashley Young is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season last time out.
Everton predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Pickford (GK) — Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko — Mangala, Gueye, Doucoure — Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye
Injured: Iroegbunam (ankle), Garner (back), McNeil (knee, doubt)
Suspended: Young (yellow-card accumulation)
Man City vs. Everton live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network, Universo | Fubo, NBC Sports site/app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo Now |
| Canada | — | Fubo |
| UK | — | Amazon Prime |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | Disney+ Hotstar, JioTV |
