Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Man City and Everton at Eastlands as the champions aim to continue their pursuit of table-topping Chelsea.

Manchester City appear to have rediscovered their mojo ahead of Saturday's Premier League visit of Everton.

The Citizens have responded to recent Capital One Cup and Champions League setbacks to win their last four games in all competitions.

Wednesday's 4-1 victory at Sunderland ensured that they would remain within six points of table-topping Chelsea, and came only three days after they burst the Southampton bubble with a 3-0 away win.

They will be hoping to continue this momentum against the Toffees ahead of a huge trip to Roma which will decide their European fate.

Sergio Aguero shows no signs of slowing down, having scored twice at the Stadium of Light to take his tally to 19 in 20 games this season.

Manuel Pellegrini reiterated this week that he feels that the Argentine striker is among the top five players in the world, and is inspiring City back to their best form.

Everton have not had an enjoyable week and have dropped into the bottom half of the table following a one-point haul from a fruitless trip to Tottenham Hotspur and a home draw with struggling Hull City.

However, Roberto Martinez's side will be able to go to the Etihad Stadium at full throttle, knowing that their qualification into the Europa League knockout stages has been secured prior to their final group game.

The Spaniard will likely persist with Croatian youngster Muhamed Besic in the centre of the park as James McCarthy remains out. John Stones, Antolin Alcaraz, Darron Gibson and Steven Naismith are also absent.

Title-winning midfielder Gareth Barry will face the Citizens for the first time since leaving Eastlands for Merseyside permanently in the summer. Steven Pienaar may get the nod ahead of Leon Osman on the left flank.

The hosts continue to be without captain Vincent Kompany because of a hamstring strain, but Pellegrini is hopeful that the Belgian will be available to lead his side into battle at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

There are greater doubts over the fitness of influential playmaker David Silva, who has not played since October and will not be risked this weekend. Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov will definitely miss both matches.

Eliaquim Managala is back from suspension to strengthen the defence and will replace Dedryck Boyata in what could otherwise be an unchanged lineup from the one which started against the Black Cats.

Everton triumphed four times in a row at City between 2008 and 2011, but have not won on their last three visits.

Man City:

Form in Premier League: LWDWWW
Form in all competitions: LDWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Hart; Zabaleta, Mangala, Demichelis, Clichy; Navas, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri; Jovetic, Aguero

Everton:

Form in Premier League: WDDWLD
Form in all competitions: WDWWLD

Possible starting lineup: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Besic, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar; Lukaku

Sports Mole says: 2-1