Guardiola's only goal for the rest of the season is to 'win, win, win'

Pep Guardiola is planning to "win, win, win" when Manchester City travel to face Everton in the Premier League, with the title race still finely poised.

City, who progressed to the FA Cup final with a thrilling comeback win over Southampton last weekend, had moved to the top of the Premier League with a victory over Burnley before that.

However, Arsenal have replaced them at the summit once more and could be six points clear if they beat Fulham on Saturday, with City, who also have a game in hand, not playing until Monday.

City's chances of lifting the trophy currently sit at 29.7% according to the Opta supercomputer.

Guardiola is expecting a tough test at Hill Dickinson Stadium but is confident his side have what it takes to get all three points on Merseyside.

"Difficult opponents - they always have been," Guardiola said of Everton.

"It will be weird because the old Everton stadium [Goodison Park] was so cool and nice, very British. I loved going there, but I'm looking forward to the new stadium.

"They defend really well. David Moyes knows exactly what to do. The game we played at the Etihad [a 2-0 City win in October] was decided by two or three actions, but at that moment, we weren't good.

"We're better now, and hopefully we can use what we are playing for to win, win, win."

Everton's hopes of finishing in the European places have taken a blow in recent weeks, with back-to-back last-gasp losses leaving them 11th, but only three points behind sixth-place Brighton.

This will be David Moyes' 16th meeting with Guardiola in the Premier League, with the Scot yet to record a win during his tenures at Sunderland, West Ham United and Everton (D2 L13).

Moyes is targeting a big result against City, though, knowing that three points could put them well and truly back in the mix among the European chasers.

"The players aren't used to it," Moyes said about challenging for European football.

"But it's a better feeling than trying to avoid relegation. Hopefully, we keep improving and challenge the best teams.

"[City's form] is not unexpected – Manchester City are capable of things like this, but we know if we can do something special, it could help us greatly."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Only Antoine Semenyo (+4.5) and Harry Wilson (+4.3) have a better differential between their goals and expected goals in the Premier League this season than Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (+4.2 – eight goals, 3.8xG).

Moyes on Everton ambitions. pic.twitter.com/EcJCZO96j1

— Everton (@Everton) May 1, 2026

Manchester City – Jeremy Doku

Only Callum Hudson-Odoi (26) has created more chances following a carry in the Premier League this season than Jeremy Doku (24), while his 82 carries into the opponent's penalty area are nine more than anyone else.  

He has also provided four assists to Erling Haaland, with only Bruno Fernandes (six for Casemiro) setting up more goals for a single player.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

City are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games against Everton (W14 D3), since a 4-0 loss in January 2017.

And Everton have lost their last eight home league games against City, their longest run of consecutive defeats against an opponent in their history.

City are in fine form, going unbeaten in their last 11 league games (W8 D3), collecting more points (24) and conceding fewer goals (eight) than any other side during that run.

Everton, meanwhile, have lost their last two league games; they have not lost three in a row since January last season.

The Toffees have conceded a 90th-minute winner in each of their last two Premier League games against Liverpool and West Ham; no side in the competition's history has ever done so in three successive matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 24.7%

Draw – 23%

Manchester City – 52.3%