Pep Guardiola will be looking for a reaction from Manchester City after a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their last Premier League match.

Until then, City were sweeping away all before them, including Manchester United in a derby that wasn't as close as the 2-1 scoreline suggested.

Pochettino had experience of beating Guardiola once before and managed to repeat the feat a fortnight ago as his Spurs side battled and harassed City - denying them the time to play the way Guardiola wanted.

It is a blueprint that other managers will look to follow, now that a possible weakness has been found in the Citizens' line-up.

Ronald Koeman will be hoping to score a similar victory over his old Barcelona teammate and arrest a slight slump that has seen his Everton side fail to win in any of their last three games in all competitions.

It's far from a hopeless task for the Toffees, however, who have started the season well and sit in fifth position - just four points behind City - although they will be sweating over the fitness of top scorer Romelu Lukaku.

With that in mind, here are five key battles which could decide the game when the two sides meet on Saturday...

BOLASIE VS ZABALETA

Bolasie

One fascinating aspect of the game will be how Pablo Zabeleta deals with Yannick Bolasie.

The Argentine defender should start after Bacary Sagna was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury.

Zabaleta has looked a shadow of the man who was once City’s undisputed first-choice right-back, slower and suspect defensively.

Everton winger Bolasie will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on the 31-year-old and could potentially tie him in knots with his pace and dribbling ability.

If that’s the case - and the DR Congo man can get his end product right - Everton will expect goals.

FERNANDINHO VS BARKLEY

Fernandinho

As City’s sole defensive midfielder, Fernandinho is in for a busy afternoon.

The Brazilian is often responsible for the majority of the legwork in midfield to allow Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to attack and dictate the game.

The 31-year-old will also have to be disciplined if he is to keep an eye on Ross Barkley.

On his day, the Everton man can be deadly and produce a killer ball, slaloming run or rocket of a shot at the blink of an eye.

Unfortunately for the Toffees, it depends which Barkley turns up - the one who produces moments of magic, or the one who goes AWOL.

DE BRUYNE VS GUEYE

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Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring their first goal 
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City’s chances of victory will drastically improve if Kevin De Bruyne is fit to play.

The Belgian current leads the assist charts with four and has also managed two goals but was forced off against Swansea with a hamstring injury.

The man charged with tracking De Bruyne and also David Silva will be summer signing Idrissa Gueye.

The Senegalese midfielder has enjoyed a strong start to his Toffees career but will face his greatest test yet should De Bruyne start.

COLEMAN VS CLICHY

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Everton don’t boast as many expensive superstars as their opponents, but one man who Guardiola would have in a heartbeat is Seamus Coleman.

The marauding Irishman loves to venture forward and suits the Spaniard’s template of getting involved in all aspects of the game.

Unfortunately for City, Coleman will be wearing the blue of the Toffees as he looks to spend more time in the Citizens’ box than his own.

It’s unclear whether Aleksandar Kolarov or Gael Clichy will be given the task of handling him - we’ve given the nod to Clichy and his pace ahead of the out-of-form Serb.

AGUERO VS WILLIAMS

Sergio Aguero

Any betting man would put their money on Sergio Aguero deciding the game. The Argentine is fixture-proof; seemingly able to score against any side given the chance.

The 28-year-old will be sure to get enough service if De Bruyne and Silva start.

As arguably Everton’s strongest defender, Ashley Williams may be given the task of shackling City’s top scorer.

A much easier challenge on paper than in practice, Aguero versus Williams should provide a fascinating duel.