Preview: Manchester City vs. Everton – team news, lineups, prediction, live stream

Arsenal’s excellence means that despite a very strong start to the season, Man City find themselves five points adrift from the top.

That is largely thanks to the presence of Erling Braut Haaland up front, who made it 20 Premier League goals for the season already in their 3-1 win over Leeds United on Wednesday, the fastest it has taken anyone to reach that milestone in a campaign.

They have beaten Everton in all of their last 10 meetings, but the last meeting at Goodison in February proved very controversial when City took all three points despite avoiding a very clear penalty being given against them following a handball by Rodri.

Four straight losses in all competitions for Everton, all against sides in around the relegation zone, have left Lampard on the brink at Goodison Park.

Leicester City came to Goodison and beat them convincingly before Bournemouth completed a league and cup double over the Toffees in the space of a few days before the World Cup break, scoring seven goals across the two games.

They are not yet in the relegation zone, but a defeat here and the continuation of some amateurish defending in their recent matches will leave them very susceptible, with the three sides below them all within reach.

Julian Alvarez is unlikely to be thrown into the Man City squad as he gradually returns to club action following World Cup success with Argentina.

Ruben Dias will miss out with a thigh injury, but City still have plenty of options available at centre-back, with Manuel Akanji and John Stones the preferred duo on Wednesday.

Foden may come in along with Cancelo as both were rested against Leeds, as Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis are the two likely to make way.

Yerry Mina went off injured again for Everton on Boxing Day, a sight that has become all too familiar for him while at the club.

He has gone off early in his last three Premier League starts, but they will have Conor Coady back to replace him after he was ineligible to face parent club Wolves.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains a doubt after the forward could not recover from a continuous thigh issue in time to play any part in the Boxing Day defeat.

Andros Townsend has suffered a setback in his return from an ACL tear, while James Garner will miss the next month with a back injury.