Everton v Manchester City: Ronald Koeman will relish another tactical duel with Pep Guardiola

Ronald Koeman leads his Everton charges against a Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City side on Sunday in a rematch of an earlier 1-1 Premier League draw last October. Composite from agencies

■ Everton v Manchester City: Sunday, January 15 at 5.30pm UAE time

Sometimes inside knowledge can be exploited. Three months ago, Everton’s unexpected 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City allowed Ronald Koeman to reflect with satisfaction upon his own input. “I know my good friend Pep. I said we need to expect three defenders,” Koeman said.

It was a remarkably accurate prediction. Manchester City had not lined up with three at the back before Pep Guardiola changed tactics for the visit of the Merseysiders.

His former Barcelona teammate and roommate read his mind. Now is another examination of his powers of prediction.

Koeman should anticipate a back four — City have not won this season with any other defensive system — while Guardiola could find it easier to second-guess his old friend.

Everton’s recent approach at Goodison Park against their superiors, whether Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool, has been to play high-tempo football. They have been unashamedly direct.

It is worth rewinding to October when Koeman described Guardiola’s approach as “the most difficult way to win.”

Too difficult, it would seem, for Everton at the moment as Koeman has abandoned attempts to outplay opponents.

His is a disjointed, transitional team. So, some would say, are Guardiola’s, but the Dutchman has been the more pragmatic of the pair.

His side have received a further injection of midfield muscle in the shape of Morgan Schneiderlin. The £22 million (Dh98.4m) signing from Manchester United could debut on Sunday, offering him the chance to do both his new and old clubs a favour at the same time.

The change in emphasis should be apparent on the teamsheet: a United old boy should displace a City alumnus.

Gareth Barry’s days as a first choice appear to be ending. His successor should be more dynamic.

Everton’s midfield is becoming more forceful as City is stripped of power. Fernandinho’s four-game suspension deprives Guardiola of the energetic presence at its base.

The more sedate Yaya Toure was sublime in the 5-0 FA Cup win at West Ham United, when Pablo Zabaleta was his surprise sidekick.

The Ivorian only played 77 minutes at the London Stadium; it was enough for him to score a nerveless penalty and complete 91 of 95 passes, including each long ball he attempted. He dictated play.

Everton will presumably try to harry him in a way West Ham did not, a task that could fall to the former City target Ross Barkley.

Despite Koeman’s powers of prescience, Everton’s October draw owed much to Maarten Stekelenburg, who saved two penalties.

It proved the high point of the goalkeeper’s rather mixed Everton career and came when Koeman’s side had the second best defensive record in the division, a distinction they have long lost.

But one of those spot-kick saves came from Kevin de Bruyne, whose season is a simultaneous success and a disappointment, depending upon the criteria.

The Belgian continues to top the table for assists but, remarkably, he has gone 14 league games without scoring.

As he scored and created goals at a roughly similar rate before then, it seems inexplicable. In City’s last trip to Merseyside, after the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, Guardiola denied De Bruyne was tired.

Indeed, he excelled in the diamond the City manager used at West Ham. Rewind three months and it was Koeman who adopted a midfield diamond after a difficult first 20 minutes against City.

It enabled him to hold his own against an old friend who he first remember driving a second-hand Opel as a young player at Barcelona.

That was the best part of three decades ago. Koeman has had years to understand Guardiola. It has given him a head start on many of his managerial peers. Once again, it may be an advantage.

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