da bet vitoria： Ronald Koeman has enjoyed a pretty good start to his Everton career so far.
da aviator aposta： The Toffees are currently 5th in the Premier League with 14 points from their first seven games.
They have only picked up one point from their last two games, however, after losing to Bournemouth and drawing against Crystal Palace.
Koeman arguably faces the toughest task of his Everton career so far this weekend, as he takes his side to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
One area where the Dutchman often seems to struggle is beating the bigger sides in the league, with a 4-2 win over a City team treading water under Pellegrini his only success.
Choosing a Toffees XI that could cause an upset at Eastlands, we’ve opted for a three-man defence to cope with the likes of Sergio Aguero and possibly Kevin De Bruyne, especially after it worked so well against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season.
Here is the Everton XI Koeman should play to get a positive result against the Citizens.
GOALKEEPER – MAARTEN STEKELENBURG
After an ill-fated spell under Koeman at Southampton, Everton fans are forgiven for being underwhelmed when the Dutchman re-signed Maarten Stekelenburg.
Bar a couple of mistakes, the Dutchman has looked good as part of a Toffees defence that has conceded the second fewest goals in the Premier League behind Tottenham Hotspur.
The 34-year-old has given no reason to lose his place to Joel Robles but will have to be in fine form to deny the likes of Aguero, De Bruyne and Sterling.
RIGHT WING-BACK – SEAMUS COLEMAN
Freshly buoyed by his first goal for the Republic or Ireland, Seamus Coleman should be confident when he faces City on Saturday.
Since returning from injury, the full-back has been one of Everton’s standout performers and will hope to be given license to roam forward to put the pressure on the City backline, particularly if Kolarov starts at left-back.
Coleman loves to break forward and should be tasked with getting beyond the midfield to provide service for Lukaku, or even have a crack himself.
CENTRE-BACK – ASHLEY WILLIAMS
If there’s one man in the Everton side who can handle the prolonged and intense pressure of the City attack, it’s Ashley Williams.
For both Swansea last season and Wales in the summer, the 32-year-old was the last bastion in defence and helped his sides battle against the odds, particularly as Wales made the semi-finals at Euro 2016.
If Everton are to get anything out of the game they need men to put their bodies on the line; Williams will happily lead by example.
CENTRE-BACK – PHIL JAGIELKA
The man to stay in the centre of the back three, Phil Jagielka will be tasked with a similar job to Williams; block everything that comes at him.
Being slightly slower than the other two defenders, Everton’s captain should stay deep and act as the last line of defence.
Despite appearing shaky under Roberto Martinez last season, Jagielka is looking more like his solid self, something which will be hugely important to Everton’s chances on Saturday.
CENTRE-BACK – RAMIRO FUNES-MORI
Ramiro Funes-Mori completes the three-man defence.
A system that Koeman had success with a Southampton, the trio in the backline should be able to close down the space between midfield and defence and give players like Silva and De Bruyne less space to work in.
Funes Mori is naturally left-footed should therefore play on the left side of defence, where his pace may be necessary to help the left-back deal with Raheem Sterling.
LEFT WING-BACK – LEIGHTON BAINES
Supposedly fit again after missing two Premier League games, Baines should be in line for a return to the Everton side.
The left-back missed the Bournemouth and Palace games, both of which the Toffees failed to win.
Bryan Oviedo failed to impress against the Eagles and was eventually subbed for Funes Mori.
Baines has the experience to deal with the occasion while his superb delivery – either from crosses or dead-ball opportunities – may well yield a goal for Lukaku or one of his defenders.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – IDRISSA GUEYE
One man who’s made a huge difference to Everton this season is Idrissa Gueye.
The Senegalese midfielder has been superb for the Toffees since his move from Aston Villa in the summer, quietly going about his business breaking the opponent’s attack and distributing the ball efficiently.
Should Koeman play a three-man backline, Gueye may have to go above his original job remit and carry the ball forward, linking the midfield and getting the ball to Everton’s attacking players.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – GARETH BARRY
The most experienced man in Everton’s squad, Gareth Barry has plenty of experience playing in big games.
The 35-year-old will be the man to lead by example when it comes to keeping a cool head and producing a disciplined display.
Barry will be charged with sitting deeper than his midfield partner and break up City’s attacks before they find their way into the box.
It’ll be a tough task for those ageing legs and Barry will more than likely make way if the scores are level late on.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: ROSS BARKLEY
If Everton choose to go with a three-man midfield then Barkley may well be the one sacrificed after some inconsistent performances this season.
Should Koeman require discipline he may well opt for James McCarthy in the middle as Barkley’s defensive contribution can be limited.
But if the Dutchman wants to go for a win off the bat, he’ll need Barkley’s guile and creativity.
We think he should go for Barkley with the City defence as it is and goals on the cards.
SUPPORT STRIKER: YANNICK BOLASIE
The key to beating City may well be Yannick Bolasie.
With his pace and trickery, the DR Congo international is capable of giving any team trouble on his day – just ask Liverpool fans.
The 27-year-old will be responsible for stretching the play if Koeman opts for three attackers and Barkley plays, with the Englishmen more likely to stay central.
With Sagna sidelined for the Citizens, Bolasie will fancy his chances against Zabaleta but he needs to work on his end product.
STRIKER: ROMELU LUKAKU
One of the positions that should be locked down is Romelu Lukaku’s spot up front.
The Belgian has been in lethal form this season with five goals in his last four games.
There were worries the striker may have picked up an injury while on international duty but he was fit enough for the bench, so Toffees fans will hope Roberto Martinez didn’t want to risk his former charge against lowly Gibraltar.
The 23-year-old has the pace and physique to scare a City defence still without the leadership of his countryman Vincent Kompany.