Guardiola desperate to stop woeful streak as Man City host Everton on Boxing Day

After losing to Aston Villa last weekend, Pep Guardiola's side have now only won one game in their last 12 in all competitions.

It's seen the reigning champions drop down to seventh in the Premier League and their hopes of a fifth straight title are all but over already.

They are in desperate need of three points to shake off the negativity but there's no guarantee they'll get the present they want this Christmas.

Everton are the visitors to the Etihad and they come into this game after grinding out draws against both Arsenal and Chelsea.

Man City vs Everton: A Christmas Miracle

Who'd have thought Man City would be hoping for a Christmas Miracle this year?!

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Especially ahead of a game they should theoretically be winning at home against a relegation contender.

But in reality, City's form indicates they do need something special to finally bring an end to their misfortune over the last month or so.

Guardiola's men have lost nine of their last 12 while also earning fewer points than any other Premier League team since the start of November.

That's unprecedented form for a team as good as the Citizens, but they will still have some belief they can get back to winning ways.

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And against Everton, they do have hope considering they're unbeaten in their last 13 at home against the Toffees and they have only lost one of their last 22 league meetings.

So history certainly backs up the chances of Boxing Day's early kick-off finally bringing a much-needed Man City win.

This is the second Premier League meeting between Man City and Everton on Boxing Day, with the Toffees winning the other 2-1 in 2004.

Manchester City have won six of their last seven Premier League Boxing Day games, with the exception being a 2-1 loss at Leicester in December 2018. Since their return to the top-flight in 2002, the Citizens have won all seven of their Boxing Day home games by an aggregate score of 24-7.

Everton haven't lost any of their last eight Boxing Day away games (W5 D3) since a 4-0 loss at Aston Villa in 2005. Everton also won the last time they faced the reigning champions on this day, beating Leicester City 2-0 in 2016.

Man City vs Everton: Team news

City's lack of quality has coincided with injuries, especially in defence, with Ruben Dias recently joining Nathan Ake on the sidelines.

John Stones and Manuel Akanji have only just come back into the team and aren't fully fit either, while Matheus Nunes, Rodri and Oscar Bobb are out too.

Goalkeeper Ederson missed the last game with a knock and he's not expected to return against Everton, so Stefan Ortega will start.

Kevin De Bruyne should come back into the line-up after getting no minutes at Aston Villa while Jack Grealish or Phil Foden could be replaced.

Savinho and Jeremy Doku are waiting in the wings to take their place if needed.

As for Everton, it's unlikely that Sean Dyche will make many changes to his team after back-to-back impressive draws.

The Toffees have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games with the same back four, but Ashley Young is suspended so that switch is enforced.

Seamus Coleman is expected to take his place at right-back while the rest of the line-up should remain.

Only the current top four sides of Liverpool (16), Arsenal (16), Chelsea (19) and Nottingham Forest (19) have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season than Everton (21), with Jordan Pickford registering more clean sheets than any other keeper this season (7).

Manchester City have conceded the first goal in nine different Premier League games this season - only teams currently in the bottom four have done so more often this term (Leicester 13, Wolves 12, Southampton 12).

Man City vs Everton: What has been said?

Guardiola has admitted that he and his squad are having to learn as they go on during their terrible run of form this season.

He said: "I learn. They learn. We think about Everton and not much longer than that. You lose another game and you have to think about what to do in the next to win.

"I am here to give my answer, but I don't have a defence, I said when you lose a lot of games, it's a business and you have to win.

"This team was consistent for so long and we broke all the records, now we are on the other side, that's the truth. We have to find a way.

"We're in that position, sometimes everything is harder but the players have to be 'okay guys, we will try'.

"At the end it's just a game. You can win games, lose games, be the same, change things, but it's just a game.

"We deal with it when we won a lot and it was exceptional, but now it's a game that we are living in a different part which we didn't expect.

"I don't know what the outcome will be, but life gives you that challenge and you have to deal with it. I am dealing with it as much as I can."

Listen to these SHOCKING Manchester City stats that need to be seen to be believed

Everton haven't lost any of their last eight Boxing Day away games (W5 D3) since a 4-0 loss at Aston Villa in 2005. Everton also won the last time they faced the reigning champions on this day, beating Leicester City 2-0 in 2016.

Everton have been involved in five of the nine 0-0 draws in the Premier League this season (56%). It's the Toffees' most goalless draws in a single campaign since 2008-09 (also 5), while they last had more in 1998-99 (8).

Man City vs Everton: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Thursday, December 26.

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is scheduled for 12:30pm.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the Boxing Day meeting presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England defender Danny Mills.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

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You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with all the latest in our dedicated live blog.