Manchester City could be eight points adrift of top spot come kick-off on Wednesday, as the magnitude of their task in the Premier League will become apparent on their return to domestic action.

"Goodison Park is not the best place to come back," said Pep Guardiola after the Club World Cup final, admitting that he hopes the success in Saudi Arabia gives his side a boost after just one win in six in the Premier League. Everton await what is likely to be City's penultimate visit to Everton's historical home.

City have won their last seven visits to the Blue side of Stanley Park since one of Guardiola's worst days as manager - a 4-0 defeat. Those seven wins don't tell the whole story, though, and Sean Dyche's resurgent Toffees will pose Guardiola a difficult post-Christmas test.

Fluminense posed City a tactical test that they haven't had to deal with before with their anti-positional forwards and intensive press. Everton will be an examination on the complete opposite of the scale. Dyche has got his side revved up after the club's ten-point deduction, and without that they would be tenth - only eight points off City.

Last year, Ilkay Gundogan produced one of many masterclasses on the way to the title at Goodison Park, but Everton were better than their 3-0 defeat suggested, and they stole a draw from the Etihad. The year before at Goodison, Phil Foden popped up late for another vital, title-defining three points after Rodri got away with a very lucky shoulder-ball in his own penalty box.

Goodison has tended to play a key role in the title race in recent years, and City have had to work to be on the positive side of that. Everton have scored on three of City's four visits before that, with late goals needed in five of the last seven trips to Merseyside to win, or kill, the points.

Wednesday has all the makings of a tricky game for City, riding high as world champions. If Guardiola could have chosen a game to begin his 'second book' as City manager, this probably wouldn't be it. Everton have only lost two in nine, and are in better form than City. They won't fear the champions on Wednesday as they might have previously. Guardiola also knows that his side have struggled against physical sides and when crosses are put in their box.

Guardiola said in Saudi Arabia that his spell at City was done, it was over - in terms of winning every trophy available to them. He insisted he and his squad have the hunger to keep fighting, though, telling them to buy a new book and start writing it.

The first chapter of that book starts at Goodison Park, and Guardiola will hope it's not the kind of book that begins with a defeat for the main character. City have the squad and leader to regain ground on whoever is ahead of them and however far ahead they may be, but won't want to give their rivals too much of a lead.

Starting at Goodison, City can back up talk from Jeddah and use the Club World Cup to give themselves a boost in the league. Guardiola has already alluded to how difficult that will be, so getting back to winning ways can prove they are really ready to begin their new era under Guardiola where the world champions assert their dominance and create a dynasty.