Everton v Man City preview

24 April 2009 11:48
Everton will aim to round off a successful week by winning at home to Manchester City on Saturday.[LNB] The Toffees booked a place in their first FA Cup final for 14 years after a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United last Sunday.[LNB]They then travelled to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for a dress rehearsal of the 30th May final and all but ended Chelsea's league title hopes by claiming a 0-0 draw.[LNB]That took David Moyes' men a step closer to securing a place in next season's Europa League as they remain in sixth place.[LNB]Everton might even have taken all three points at Chelsea with Jo missing a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, although the Brazilian striker is ineligible for Saturday's clash as he is on loan from City.[LNB]City themselves still have their sights set on European qualification after last week's 4-2 home win against West Brom, which moved them within four points of seventh-placed West Ham.[LNB]The Blues also had the welcome boost of star striker Robinho scoring his first goal of 2009, ending a 17-match goal drought.[LNB]City have won just once on the road in the Premier League this season, though, and have a woeful recent record against Everton, the Toffees having won each of their last three meetings without City scoring.[LNB]Team newsTony Hibbert and Phil Jagielka are expected to return to the Everton defence after being rested in midweek following their semi-final exertions.[LNB]With Jo ruled out in attack, that could open the door for youngster James Vaughan, one of the FA Cup penalty heroes, who has made just one league start so far this season.[LNB]Micah Richards is poised to return for Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring) at right-back for City while winger Shaun Wright-Phillips (ankle) remains out.[LNB]Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong (thigh) is doubtful, so Gelson Fernandes and the fit-again Martin Petrov are on standby.[LNB]Up front, Mark Hughes is set to choose between Felipe Caicedo, Ched Evans and Danny Sturridge, who came off the bench to score a late clincher against West Brom.[LNB]Possible starting XI'sEverton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Neville, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill, Vaughan.[LNB]Man City: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge, De Jong, Kompany, Ireland, Elano, Robinho, Sturridge.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports