Preview: Manchester City vs. Everton

Manchester City host unbeaten Everton this weekend looking to bounce back from a humbling 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich midweek.

Manuel Pellegrini's side also lost their last league outing, going down 3-2 to Aston Villa and slipping to seventh in the Premier League table.

Everton, who are the only unbeaten side left in the top flight, go into the match in fourth place following a 3-2 win over Newcastle United.

Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas face late fitness tests for the visitors, while City loanee Gareth Barry is ineligible for the game.

David Silva is expected to play a role for City after returning to action midweek, but Jack Rodwell and Martin Demichelis are out of contention.

Everton's in-form Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku will likely go head-to-head with international teammate Vincent Kompany in what has been tipped as the game's key battle.

Recent form

City: WWWWLL

Everton: DDWWLW

Possible starting lineups

City: Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Nastasic, Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Toure, Navas, Nasri; Negredo, Aguero

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Naismith, Osman, McCarthy, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku

Sports Mole says: 1-1