Despite having a solid recent record against the Toffees, Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City cannot afford to take victory against them for granted as they attempt to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League.
In their last 13 league games against Everton, who last won in 2017, Guardiola's team has won 11 and drawn 2. They are aiming for their tenth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Everton is mired in the relegation zone after winning just once in their last ten games across all competitions.
Guardiola has urged his players to remain focused on Saturday despite their unpleasant memories of Everton's 1-1 draw with City last season.
"Tomorrow we wake up and go direct to play a football game at 12:30 pm, so we have to be ready," he said on Friday.
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"Everton has always taken results here since arriving. I don't know why, maybe because they are good. So we have to be ready.
"Hopefully it's going to go well, but last season we could not win."
If City wins, they will move up to the top of the table—at least momentarily—as they take on Burnley later on Saturday, managed by Jurgen Klopp's team.
Everton is fighting to stay in the Premier League after losing ten games due to financial violations. The team last won in December.
Another financial charge against the Toffees could result in additional punishment, which has manager Sean Dyche wondering why his team's cases are being handled more quickly than City's.
Twelve months ago, City was accused of 115 violations of Premier League financial rules; however, their case is still pending.
Guardiola stated, "I know my opinion about that," in response to Dyche's remark, refusing to be drawn. I've talked a lot. I have nothing more to say about this. We hold off."
The return of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne has significantly increased City's chances of winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive English title.
Due to a hamstring injury, Belgium midfielder De Bruyne has missed most of the season; on the other hand, Norway striker Haaland is just two games into his recovery from a foot issue.
Guardiola said that the two would be starting their first home game together this season against Everton and that their presence would be crucial to City's trophy chase.
"It's simple. They are players that win games by themselves. When one player scores 60 goals, it helps you to win games," he said.
"When you play with a player that makes a thousand million assists and goals, it helps you to win games.
"You don't have to study at Harvard or Yale to understand that."
