Back to Goodison Park, back to square one in a lot of ways.
Each of Frank Lampard's matches at his new home have felt like big occasions even before the players have set foot on the grass, given what has come beforehand.
You don't need me to go over old ground from the previous months of the campaign, but let's just remember that Everton were in a pretty dire position before the new manager was appointed.
So, the fact that they still have those worries hanging around like a lumbering albatross around the neck shouldn't really be a surprise to many.
It's certainly not to Lampard himself, who's under no illusions of the task he inherited when agreeing to take over at the Blues. He's reiterated that same point time and again, even after recent disappointing defeats.
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Treading the line between being realistic and being defeatist in these scenarios is sometimes a very thin tightrope.
And that brings us neatly to Manchester City.
They have been in imperious form throughout much of the season. Well, for much of the last few years if we're honest.
They might have lost last time out, but effectively that just makes them a wounded animal. Pep Guardiola's side do not lose two matches in a row.
But they could, it shouldn't be out of the question.
Evertonians on social media in recent days have had to put up with pundits and fans from other clubs making their minds up for them heading into this weekend.
One particular tweet from Sky Sports read: "Everton could do their Merseyside neighbours Liverpool a huge favour if they're able to take points off Manchester City this weekend..."
They could also, of course, do themselves a massive favour - and that's all any Blues supporters really care about.
This is a real scrap at the bottom of the table now. Without question it's a relegation battle and it's something the club needs to drag itself away from as quickly as possible.
That has led to many considering this match as something of a foregone conclusion.
City will bounce back, Everton are down at the bottom of the table for a reason. Take this match as a "free hit", as it where, and move on to the next matches.
While you can understand that sentiment to some degree, it's also dangerous.
Everton can't afford to be writing off any matches as losses before they even take to the field. They are fighting for every single point available, even those against the current league champions.
Yes, this is a tough task. Yes, the form book might not be in favour of this weekend's hosts. Yes they are starting a new process under a manager who's not long been at the club.
But this match is as crucial as any that will follow in the coming weeks.
There are no "easy" games in the Premier League and Everton can't be afforded the luxury of thinking they can prioritise some matches over others.
Confidence might understandably be at a low around the club thanks to how the season has panned out so far, but the Blues can't afford to let that seep into the stands over the coming weeks.
The atmosphere generated by the fans at Goodison against Leeds United was truly electric right from the first whistle.
Supporters got to their seats early, they brought flags and banners, they had their best signing voices on hand - and Leeds couldn't cope with it.
Now, of course, the difference in quality between Leeds United and Man City is very sizeable, with all due respect to Marcelo Bielsa's side.
But recreating that positive atmosphere could be crucial if Everton are to get anything out of this match.
The players responded to the noise and feeling around them last time out at Goodison Park, and they seemed to suffer without that on their travels against Southampton.
That's an issue that needs to be solved, but that's to discuss another time. It's not something that Lampard will be able to solve in such a short time at the club.
What he does need, though, is for Goodison to be exactly as raucous as it has been for both of his matches in charge at the stadium so far.
It potentially needs to be even more than that, in fact.
It's expected that there won't be a siren this weekend, which is a smart decision for the club due to the events in Ukraine this week.
That has become a tradition since it helped whip the crowd into a stunning fervour for a Merseyside derby after a poor run of form under Marco Silva and will be conspicuous by it's absence.
But, in its stead, there will be fans coming together to create a huge noise once again.
There will be a huge banner dedicated to Ukraine international Vitalii Mykolenko, who has been offered all the support he might need from the club in the coming days and weeks.
There will be the usual flags, banners and fans in incredible voice to generate a wall of noise.
Saturday evening, 5:30pm kick off under the floodlights - with Everton as the rank underdogs in a crucial match in their fight against relegation.
It has a lot of the ingredients to be a truly memorable evening at Goodison.
But, a lot hinges on the confidence of not just the players on the pitch, but the fans as well.
Any semblance of a defeatist attitude should be left at home. There's no chance that anyone will be thinking of the side across Stanley Park either, despite what some pundits might think.
Man City are not unbeatable, but they are sitting at the top of the Premier League table for a reason.
They're one of the best sides in the world, they have a squad which is the envy of many across Europe. Not many sides will beat them this season.
Everton could easily lose on Saturday, and it would be no shame if they were to be beaten by such a strong team.
But to be consigned to that result before the match has even kicked off would be wrong.
The Blues need these three points, just as much as any other.
