Yet as the Toffees prepare to travel to the City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow night, the Scot has lost none of the conviction that his team are as good as Roberto Mancini's expensively-assembled, title-chasing side.

Everton are labouring in the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League after seven games without a win but the Merseysiders have proved their quality in the past and Moyes expects them to again.

Moyes said: "I think City are a stronger side, they have had a year more of development.

"They have spent again to get themselves up there and they look as if they are a bit more established.

"They are a good side with good players and they have got themselves in a healthy position.

"You won't know until the end but I would still put them as outsiders to win the Premier League.

"I hoped we would have been in a similar position but our start and the way we are at the moment makes that look very impossible.

"But we are a good team as well - that gives us a chance of going there and showing what we can do.

"We have done that in a lot of games and we will have to do that again in what will be a tough game.

"The players know if it is our night we are more than capable of getting a result.

"What we have not had is enough days where it has been our day this season."

After the weather decimated the weekend programme in the top flight the game should attract plenty of attention - if it beats the effects of winter itself.

City could move top of the table with victory while Everton, just two points above the bottom three, will hope to climb two places to a more respectable-looking 13th.

Everton have recent history on their side having won five of their past six games against City, including three at Eastlands.

Another factor in the Merseysiders' favour could be City's continuing wrangle with wantaway star player Carlos Tevez.

The Argentina striker has requested a transfer citing a breakdown in his relationship with certain people at the club but City have so far refused to give ground.

Tevez remains one of the Premier League's top goalscorers with 10 but Moyes says he is happy to take on City whether he plays or not.

"He played last year," he said, reflecting on Everton's 2-0 win at Eastlands in March.

"If he does, fine; if he doesn't, it's not our business. It is Manchester City's business.

"It is their decision and there is nothing we can do to affect it.

"I have to make sure I get our players fit and ready for the game."

Everton's last visit to Manchester City also ended with an unseemly scuffle between Moyes and Mancini on the touchline.

Mancini tried to grab the ball from Moyes after the Scot caught it in the closing minutes and fourth official Howard Webb needed to intervene to separate them.

Mancini was later given a fine for improper conduct but the pair had long since shaken hands over the matter.

"It was water under the bridge 10 minutes after the game," said Moyes.

When asked if he would let the ball run past him if the situation arose again, he said bluntly: "I just try to win the games for Everton and I hope the players try to do the same."

Moyes also refused to rake over the Joleon Lescott situation once again.

Moyes was highly critical of City's conduct over their £24million signing of the England defender from Everton last season and blamed the situation for a poor start to the campaign.

"We have been there and had that conversation many times," he said.

Everton are hoping midfielder Steven Pienaar proves his fitness from a groin injury.

The South African, who was forced off after 66 minutes against Wigan a week ago, tweeted last week that he felt the game might come too soon.

Moyes however has since said the Monday night fixture has afforded him extra time that gives him an "outside chance" of playing.