Man City v Everton Preview

Robinho may return for City while Hibbert set for Everton comeback

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 12th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Man City v Everton Preview

Robinho: Could return against Everton

Predictions
Skysports.comprediction: City 2 Everton 1
Sky Bet prediction: City 11/10 Everton 11/4 Draw 21/10
One to watch: Stephen Ireland

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Manchester City and Everton go head to head at Eastlands as Mark Hughes' men look to climb away from the danger zone.

City have lost just once in six games in all competitions, but find themselves just three points off the relegation places.

Everton on the other hand will be looking to record their sixth away win of the campaign and at the same time banish the memories of their last minute loss to Aston Villa last weekend.

The Toffees have lost twice in their last three Premier League outings and currently occupy eighth place in the table just seven points behind Arsenal in fourth.

But due to the incredibly close nature of the Premier League this season David Moyes' men are also only seven points above the relegation zone.

Games involving City at home this season have rarely been dull with 28 goals scored altogether in just eight league matches played at the City of Manchester Stadium.

City boss Hughes will wait before deciding on the fitness of striker Robinho but the former Blackburn manager hopes the Brazilian will have sufficiently recovered from an ankle injury to be able to start against Everton.

Defender Nedum Onuoha could feature after he came through a reserve match in midweek after a six-week lay-off with a leg muscle problem.

Micah Richards (ankle), Javier Garrido (achilles) and Gelson Fernandes (hamstring) are all doubtful as is Daniel Sturridge (virus).

Everton team news

The visitors could welcome back defender Tony Hibbert after he recovered from a thigh injury to train all week. The injury has restricted the 27-year-old to just four appearances in the league this season.

Everton are without Yakubu (Achilles) after the Nigerian was ruled out for the rest of the season while fellow striker Louis Saha could feature after his hamstring injury, picked up against Tottenham, was not as bad as first feared.

20-year-old striker James Vaughan (knee) is another frontman on the sidelines and is not expected back until January meaning Victor Anichebe should continue up front despite having to be substituted with an injury during the Villa match.

Defenders Lars Jacobsen (shoulder) and Nuno Valente (knee) are both out until after the New Year.

Possible starting XIs

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Ben Haim, Ball, Wright-Phillips, Hamann, Ireland, Kompany, Benjani, Robinho.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Osman, Cahill, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Anichebe.