Manchester City are unbeaten in 23 games and have won their last 16 in all competitions.

Everton have won just one of their last 14 league games against Pep Guardiola’s side and will give everything to end City’s winning run at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

Guardiola has confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne has returned to training ahead of the trip to Merseyside but, has revealed that he expects Ilkay Gundogan to miss out through injury.

  • Injury update

A groin problem forced Gundogan off against Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend. Whilst the German's condition has improved, he will not feature against the Toffees.

Star man De Bruyne has been recovering from injury since featuring against Aston Villa last month.

The Belgian playmaker was ruled out for up to six weeks following the 2-0 victory at The Etihad but has improved significantly according to his manager.

“Kevin’s getting better,” Guardiola said.

“Today he did all training with the group, with all of us. He’s much better.

“Gundo is much better, but I don’t think is available for tomorrow.”

City could also be set to welcome back Ruben Dias after illness and Captain Fernandinho after his two-match absence due to a thigh problem.

Striker Sergio Aguero remains unfit for the clash with Carlo Ancelotti’s men and will be named among the substitutes.

“Sergio is one year injured so cannot start from the beginning,” Guardiola said.

“But he is ready to come back. He was on the bench last game and will be again.

“The rest of the players are OK, except Nathan Ake.”

  • Everton and Ancelotti

Everton boss Ancelotti has not lost three home league games in a row, since managing AC Milan in 2006.

Facing City off the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham, their quality has still been highlighted by Guardiola.

“Everton always has been one of the greatest teams in England,” he said.

“This season is much better than previous seasons. It's normal, Carlo knows his players much better and the club.

“Like all the teams, Manchester City included, they have ups and downs, it's normal. But the quality from Carlo is always there.”

  • Who to choose?

City’s squad depth means that it’s not always easy for Guardiola to pick a starting eleven. Having recently gone with different defensive combinations, the Spaniard admitted that it can be stressful when trying to field his strongest side.

“Always I have headaches to choose the best XI,” he explained.

“At the end it's not just about the back four, everybody's involved but we can't deny the back four.

“Last two games Aymeric Laporte was brilliant, especially John Stones and Ruben Dias were outstanding. Joao Cancelo and Benjamin Mendy in the FA Cup and Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kyle Walker too.

“Everybody's doing well, hopefully we can continue this way. Our secret is to be consistent in behind, good game plans, attack as much as possible to win the games.”

  • The unbeaten run

Currently flying high as an historic unbeaten run continues to build, City are now favourites to win this season’s Premier League title.

Searching for a tenth win of 2021, the table toppers could become the first team in top-flight history to win their first 10 matches in a calendar year.

“Everything we have done is because we have to run a lot, play good, the quality of the players does the rest,” Guardiola said.

“Every game is tough. Tomorrow is no exception.

“We never get the perfection, what we have done, the 16 games in a row or 10, 11 in the Premier League, is a consequence of thinking of the next one and preparing the best as possible.

“The reality is the games, two months ago we were not in any thoughts for any person that we could win the Premier League, now it looks like we are the only contenders.

“Seven points when you have to play 15 games left, 45 points left still to play, a lot of things can happen.

“The only thing in my head is how to beat Everton. The middle of February, there a lot of points to play and many things can happen, we will drop points for sure.

“That is the moment I am expecting and looking for a reaction from all of us.”

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