The Toffees have proved a real bogey team for Guardiola's men, and Al Hain-Cole is backing them to find the net despite losing at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City will be determined to bounce back from their first defeat of the Premier League season when they welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men surrendered top spot after falling to a surprise 2-0 defeat at Chelsea last weekend, although did overcome Hoffenheim 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Having won all eight of their league home matches so far this season, they are 2/9 (1.22) favourites with SportPesa to return to winning ways here.
However, the Toffees are undefeated in three league visits to this ground, and can be backed at 12/1 (13.00) to pull off a shock victory in this one.
Those three games all resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 11/2 (6.50) on this one also finishing up all square.
John Stones was forced off with a knee injury against Hoffenheim, so joins David Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Kevin De Bruyne, Eliaquim Mangala and Claudio Bravo in a crowded treatment room. However, Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero could be in line for a return from their own lay-offs.
In contrast, James McCarthy remains the only absentee for the visitors, as he continues to recover from a broken leg sustained in January.
Although clear favourites, the Citizens may have wished for easier opposition as they look to put last weekend’s defeat behind them.
Guardiola’s 25 per cent win percentage against Everton is lower than versus any other side but Liverpool, while seven goals conceded in four encounters is their worst defensive record in league meetings.
Having conceded at least once in each of their last five matches, City may struggle to keep a first clean sheet in six matches against a team that has failed to score just three times in 21 league matches.
Nevertheless, their superior quality make odds of 6/5 (2.20) seem generous on the champions overcoming Marco Silva’s side despite conceding on Saturday.