da dobrowin： Pep Guardiola has a lot of questions to answer ahead of Saturday’s clash with Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Against Tottenham, the Spaniard suffered an experience he’s not previously felt in England when Mauricio Pochettino’s side ran out 2-0 winners – ensuring Pep was on the losing side for the first time.
da 888： Ahead of Manchester City’s visit from Everton, Guardiola must address key issues as his side go in search of their first victory in three games – after previously winning ten on the bounce.
The game against Tottenham showed up a number of weaknesses in this Manchester City side with problem areas requiring the gaffer’s attention in the next couple of transfer windows.
Guardiola has proven his worth time and again by coming back from defeats in impressive style and it’s now more than six years since he suffered consecutive defeats in management.
Here are four questions Guardiola must find solutions to before Ronald Koeman’s Everton come to town.
Which full-backs can do the job?
A stalwart and the heartbeat of Manchester City in recent times, Pablo Zabaleta looks set to come into the fold this weekend once again after injury to Bacary Sagna on international duty.
Against Tottenham, Manchester City were crippled by Spurs’ fast paced wingers. If Guardiola is to secure another three points this Saturday, he must make sure his full-backs return to form.
How can City return to winning ways?
After ten successive wins, Guardiola’s side haven’t won in two games – drawing 3-3 at Celtic and losing 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Ahead of the challenge with Everton, Guardiola will attempt to have his side return to winning ways once more.
Everton will prove a difficult task for Manchester City this Saturday. However, if Guardiola is to silence his critics, he must secure another home victory for the Blues. Koeman’s team will prove no pushovers as the Evertonians have enjoyed their best ever start to a Premier League season.
Who’s fit enough to start?
Not many people like the international break. However, Manchester City fans were delighted there would be no Premier League football for a fortnight after losing 2-0 away to Spurs.
Key players suffered major injuries prior to the break including Kevin De Bruyne, who was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury. City have not won a game since De Bruyne’s injury and Guardiola must prove that his side are not over-reliant on the Belgian.
Sergio Aguero also suffered a knock whilst playing for Argentina, so City may face Everton without their talisman also.
How can City keep a clean sheet?
As superb as Manchester City have been this season, they have still only managed to keep one clean sheet in seven league games.
The form of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi cannot be disputed, however, but the jury’s still out on Claudio Bravo. The Chile international will be keen to keep just his second clean sheet of the season this Saturday.
City don’t possess poor defenders but for whatever reason, Guardiola struggles to ensure his team remain solid at the back.