Manchester City hope for a Silva lining today

Man City playmaker David Silva. Pic/Getty Images.

London: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is set to include playmaker David Silva for the title contenders Premier League match at Everton today.

Man City playmaker David Silva. Pic/Getty Images.

City may be third in the table, three points behind leaders Liverpool and two adrift of second-placed Chelsea but, significantly, Pellegrini's men still have three league matches to play compared to their title rivals two and a superior goal difference.

Spain star Silva missed City's win at Crystal Palace last weekend after being carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury in the club's previous match against West Brom.

Ambitious Everton
But the 28-year-old has now recovered and could face an Everton side who still haven't given up hope of overhauling Arsenal in the race for fourth place and a Champions League spot, although the Europa League looks the Merseysiders' most likely target.

"David is a very important player for us. He will be in the squad list," Pellegrini said yesterday. "The only player we have injured is Jesus Navas. All the rest of the squad are fit."

After their trip to Goodison Park, City conclude their season with home games against Aston Villa and West Ham. But while those two fixtures at Eastlands look eminently ‘winnable', City's record against Everton suggests this weekend's match could be a very different story. City have won just five of their last 19 matches against the Toffees and have lost on their last four visits to Goodison.

"I think Everton at any stage of the season will always be a difficult team," Pellegrini said. "They play very well, Roberto (Martinez, the Everton manager) is doing a very good job there, the same way he did before at Wigan. We are sure we are going to have a very tough game there."

8: No of goals Silva has scored for City in 29 appearances in the EPL

11: No of assists Silva has executed for City in the Premier League

Live tonight
. West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD2, 17:05
. Man United vs Sunderland: Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD2, 19:20
. Everton vs Man City: Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD2, 21:50