However, the Blues have gone some way to polishing their lousy record against the Merseyside club in the last two seasons and have claimed victory in the last three meetings between the two teams.
The bogey is still yet to be flicked, but it is resting on the tip of Manuel Pellegrini's finger.
Before last term, City failed to take a single point from Goodison Park in four attempts. A possible reason for the misery on Merseyside? I'm sorry to say again it's Moysey - he certainly knew how to tame us.
But Roberto Martínez hasn't been able to uphold Everton's terrific record against Manchester City. Since replacing Moyes as manager of the Toffees, the Spaniard is yet to claim a point against the current league champions and although his position is believed to be secure, the former Wigan Athletic gaffer will be desperate to end a winless run of five games in all competitions on Saturday afternoon.
(Martínez's side sit 13th in the table after a disappointing start to the campaign)
Manuel Pellegrini welcomes Vincent Kompany, Edin Džeko and top scorer Sergio Agüero back into the squad after respective injury lay-offs. City have gone 13 games unbeaten in all competitions since suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to CSKA Moscow in November and have coped well without a recognised striker in their last five fixtures. However, the return of Džeko and Agüero is likely to render Pellegrini's side even more of a formidable opponent for the Toffees.
City will miss Yaya Touré, though, who has made significant strides towards his best form in the last two months. The Ivorian boasts the highest amount of successful passes (1,395) in the league so far this season and has contributed seven goals to his side's campaign. Touré is not only a goal threat, but also a crucial metronome in City's midfield.
The 31-year-old will join Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony in Equatorial Guinea for the African Cup of Nations and all eyes will be on the partnership that could be firing for the Blues in mid-February. City have launched a bid believed to be in the region of £25m for the striker who scored more goals than any other Premier League player in 2014 (20) and a deal is expected to be announced in the coming days.
(Bony is expected to join Manchester City in a £30m deal this month)
James Milner's future at the club remains less certain, however. This week, both the Daily Mail and the Times have commented on the midfielder's situation, with the latter reporting that Milner does not expect to be at the club in June. Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that the club wish to keep hold of the 29-year-old and fans will be hoping the England international puts pen to paper as soon as possible.
City are in great form and could start with a genuine striker on Saturday, but Everton are absolutely desperate for a result. I'll go with a narrow 2-1 win for the Blues.
How City could line up
Joe Hart is expected to return between the sticks after two games on the bench. The Englishman was rested, rather than dropped, as Willy Caballero occupied the role in victories over Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday.
Another poor performance from Aleksandar Kolarov last weekend has cemented Gaël Clichy's title as City's choice left-back among fans. The Serbian became embroiled in yet another spat with his own supporters in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and is likely to make way for his French teammate who has been one of the Blues' key players this term.
Vincent Kompany has made the squad but is unlikely to be risked. Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala have formed a stable partnership in recent weeks with the Argentine's experience proving to have a calming effect on the former FC Porto player. Mangala is a naturally impulsive defender, but he has adopted a steadier approach alongside the 34-year-old.
Brazilian duo Fernandinho and Fernando are likely to accompany one another in the centre of midfield with Yaya Touré absent. They will form a base for David Silva who will be given the freedom to roam in the hole just behind the striker.
Picking a lone striker could be a problem for Manuel Pellegrini. Edin Džeko and Sergio Agüero are unlikely to be fit enough to start and Stevan Jovetić was unable to impress against Sheffield Wednesday, but James Milner did manage to save City's blushes with two goals. He may not be a recognised striker, but he could be Pellegrini's first choice in the forward role this weekend.
(Sign that contract, Jimmy!)
