'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Rodri (Manchester City) vs Allan (Everton)
Everton's Allan could be a key player against Manchester City. He has been a mainstay for Everton this season in midfield, leading the side in tackles (three per game). In the absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure, he has stepped up in defence.
His only weakness has been dealing with dribblers, as he gets dribbled past the most in the league (three per game). Considering Manchester City is full of nifty players, Allan is at risk of getting exposed.
Manchester City's defensive rock, meanwhile, has been Rodri. He puts in the third-most tackles (1.9 per game) for his side, and makes the most passes (82 per game). In a nutshell, he is their engine in midfield through which everything flows.
Moreover, Pedri also delivers the second-most long passes in the team (4.8 per game), and is key in switching plays to the wingers. The battle between Allan and Rodri could determine which team controls the midfield, and thereby the game.
#1 Demarai Gray (Everton) vs Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
One of the main reasons Everton had a fabulous start to their campaign was Demarai Gray. While the team's form has dropped off, the Englishman has still made heads turn.
With 2.1 shots, 1.5 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per game, Gray is a well-rounded attacker. He could present the most threat to the Manchester City defence. Like Andros Townsend, he could use a striker who links up better, but he could wreak enough havoc on his own against City.
For City, that role is donned by Bernardo Silva. Guardiola has resorted to using Silva as a false nine in the absence of an out-and-out striker. The Portuguese international has repaid that faith by being the club's joint-top scorer.
Silva doesn't take as many shots. But he is leading the team in dribbles (1.9 per game), and links up wonderfully with Foden and Gabriel Jesus on the wings. He has also drawn 1.3 fouls per game, which could be key against Everton.
