Home Local News Man City v Everton Wednesday 27th January Kick off 7:45pm

Man City v Everton Wednesday 27th January Kick off 7:45pm

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Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has said that Willy Caballero will be taking over from Joe Hart in goal for the semi-final second leg. Man City will be without Eliaquim Mangala, Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov, Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri.

Everton will be without Muhamed Besic as well as Kevin Mirallas who both picked up injuries against Swansea on Sunday. Phil Jagielka is set to make a return to the starting eleven, while Joel Robles will once again be selected in goal. Seamus Coleman is also set to make his first start for more than three weeks, while it was revealed by Roberto Martinez that James McCarthy will play some part in the game. Also in contention are Cleverley and Pienaar who both came through the Swansea game with no problems.

Everton will be hoping to complete the job they started in the first leg and to secure their place at Wembley. This may have proved to have been slightly easier for them as the game is being played away from Goodison, although the fact that they will be without Besic, who has proved to be an integral part of the side recently may go some way to negating that. While they have performed well below par at home this season, away performances have proved to be a little more positive. However the fact that they are missing the one player who has recently brought some drive and commitment to the side in Besic, will bring about some doubts as to who will drive the team forwards.

Changes will be made for the match, and fans will be pleased to see Robles selected once more in goal, while the likely return of Jagielka should bring back some composure to what has been an unreliable defence recently. One question about the starting line-up will be about who will be replaced by Jagielka, will it be John Stones who to be honest has been a little unsteady in recent games or does Martinez show that he has got confidence in his young defender and pair Stones and Jagielka?

The absence of Besic will leave a hole in the side, although this may be negated by the possible return of McCarthy, although this will depend on how fit he is for the game. If they are to make it to Wembley, Everton are going to have to produce a solid defensive performance and this may require the side to counter their usual attacking instincts and to hold back a little more and not be so gung-ho! Will Martinez reign in his desire for attractive passing based possession football for a performance of defensive solidity so that a Wembley final is achieved?

I think that the fact that the match is being played at The Etihad, instead of at Goodison, will be a little more positive for Everton. The 2-1 lead they hold could prove to be crucial in deciding the match, although this will depend upon the tactics of Martinez. Should he select a more solid looking and more tactically astute side then it is possible that Everton can hold onto their lead and make it to Wembley. However I think that Martinez is more likely to stick to his convictions and will select a side to go out and attack Man City and it is for this reason that I think that Man City will be the side to make it to Wembley at full-time. I find myself going for a prediction of 3-1 for Man City.

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