| Manchester City vs Everton | |
|
MATCH INFO |
|
|
MATCH :
|
Manchester City vs Everton
|
|
COMPETITION :
|
Premier League
|
| DATE: |
18-10-2025
|
|
TIME:
|
07.30 PM IST
06.00 PM UAE
|
|
STADIUM
|
Etihad Stadium
|
Manchester City will once again be without midfield lynchpin Rodri, as confirmed by Pep Guardiola, with the Spaniard still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained in the win over Brentford a fortnight ago. Abdukodir Khusanov (calf) has also missed the last four matches, and Saturday’s game is expected to come too soon for the defender.
There is better news elsewhere for the champions, as Omar Marmoush (knee) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (ankle) have both returned to first-team training and could feature in the matchday squad. In addition, Mateo Kovačić is available to make his first City appearance of the season after recovering from Achilles surgery — the Croatian built up fitness by playing over an hour for his country in last week’s World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar.
Rayan Cherki, an unused substitute against Brentford after seven games out with a thigh problem, is also in contention. Even so, Guardiola is likely to persist with Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders in the attacking midfield roles. Jeremy Doku, enjoying a rich vein of form, will hope to reclaim his place on the left flank, while Erling Haaland — chasing his 10th Premier League goal of the season — is expected to spearhead the attack.
As for Everton, City loanee Jack Grealish is ineligible to face his parent club, while Nathan Patterson picked up an unspecified injury while featuring for the Under-21s earlier this week. The visitors will also assess the fitness of Michael Keane (rib), Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), and Merlin Röhl (groin) before kickoff.
On the positive side, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returns from suspension and is expected to slot into an advanced midfield role behind either Beto or Thierno Barry, with Iliman Ndiaye shifting to the left to cover for Grealish. Should Keane fail to prove his fitness, Jake O’Brien will likely partner James Tarkowski at centre-back, while veteran Seamus Coleman could get the nod at right-back.