Manchester City vs Everton – Preview, Player Performance Index

Manchester City vs Everton 

Saturday, 6 December 5.30 PM BST 

Etihad Stadium

TV Schedule – Sky Sports 1/HD, Sky Go, NOW TV, Sky Go Extra (Only in UK)

Man City will come into this game full of confidence having gained 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five Premier League outings, including three wins on the bounce. City lie in second place, six points behind leaders Chelsea, and will be hoping to halve the deficit this weekend.

Key to the Blues achieving that goal, is for Sergio Aguero to continue his hot streak. His remarkable start to the campaign, with 14 goals in as many games, is underlined by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Data. The Argentina international has average a goal every 74.7 minutes so far this season, and gets a shot away every 18.7 minutes. If City can continue to provide him with the chances, then he will prove a major threat throughout the 90 minutes. He is 16/25 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Another man who has found his form is Yaya Toure, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index again backs up his credentials. The Ivory Coast star has three goals to his name as well as an assist, and has covered a remarkable 129.9km of ground. He will be looking to use that fitness to outrun his opponents to give City the victory in the battle of the midfield.

At the back, Gael Clichy remains City’s in form defender, managing to find his first goal of the season against Southampton to add to his assist. Whilst he is proving to be an attacking threat, it is defensively where the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights Clichy’s strength. The former Arsenal man has won 73.8% of his 42 tackles and also making a staggering 37 interceptions, which will help him turn attack into defense in an instant through his pace.

Everton will come into the fixture looking for their first win in three, after a defeat to Tottenham and an even share of the goals in their last outing against Hull.  Whilst the Toffees are clearly capable of scoring goals, they have conceded more goals than every side in the top half of the Premier League, and rectifying that this weekend will be the key to coming away with the points.

At the back, Everton will hope that Leighton Baines can continue his fantastic form, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The England left back will be thrilled with the two goals he has managed so far this campaign, and even more so by his six assists. The full back has completed 12 crosses, which is three times more than anyone else in the Everton squad. His defensive duties have been carried out with equal aplomb, having won 77.4% of his 31 tackles.

In the middle of the park, Gareth Barry will certainly have a job on his hands to cope with the superstar line-up that Man City put out every week. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Barry could be key to winning this battle, having out-run any of his opponents so far this term, completing a squad best 139.9km. He has also completed 804 passes with an accuracy of 88.9% and his ball retention will be key to Everton coming away with the points.

Up top, Everton will be hoping that Lukaku continues in the same vain, with the Belgian forward grabbing six goals so far this term. The Belgian international has hit the target 19 times already this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, scoring with 31.6% of his shots on target. He is 13/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.