Prediction: Manchester United vs Everton

Verdict: Home win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Bet365

Manchester United lock horns with Everton in their midweek fixture at Old Trafford with both sides looking to make amends for disappointing results at the weekend as race for the European places continues.

Manchester United

Jose Mourinho’s men were held to a frustrating goalless home draw against West Bromwich Albion and will look to beat Everton in order to lift off some pressure from their shoulders in attempt to get back to top four race. The Red Devils’s hopes of securing the Champions League next season through domestic exploits received a major blow as Manchester United remain five points behind city rivals Manchester City who are occupying the fourth spot. On the bright note, Manchester United still have two games in hand on third-placed Liverpool and the Premier League finish is promising to be a highly entertaining one. The most recent result against WBA comes as a disappointment despite the fact Red Devils managed to stretch their impressive 19-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. The Red Devils fans will be glad to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic return to squad following his suspension and there is no doubt that United’s attack line will regain the cutting edge with the towering Swede who has so far scored 15 goals in the league for United.

Team News

United’s top scorer returns following his domestic suspension, together with Ander Herrera. Midfielder Juan Mata is unavailable after the surgery on his groin injury, while Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are also expected to miss out.

Record signing Paul Pogba is struggling with muscle injury, but could be fit to feature.

Everton

The Toffees are making their short trip to Old Trafford on the back of a frustrating 3-1 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool. Everton were in fine form prior to their loss to Everton as Ronaldo Koeman lost only one of their last 12 matches prior to the Liverpool match. The Toffees will be looking to make a swift return to winning ways but it will be easier said than done, given the fact that Everton are yet to win at Old Trafford since 2013. Ronald Koeman will be hopeful, however, that the league’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku will step up his game after the silent performance against Liverpool. The Belgian striker will be the one to watch at Old Trafford as the former Chelsea man currently sits on top of the scoring charts with 21 goals to his name. Lukaku has been a huge influence all around as well, managing six assists thus far in the campaign. The Toffes are currently sitting in seventh place in the standings, only three points behind Manchester United and a possible, but unlikely win over Red Devils would provide a great twist to the top half of the table.

Team News

Seamus Coleman continues his road to recovery from a double leg fracture he suffered during the international break.

Everton have another five players on the injury list with Yannick Bolasie, Funes Morin, Muhamed Besic, James McCarthy and Morgan Schneiderlin also ruled out for the match.

Key Factors to Consider

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to squad after three-match ban
• Everton miss as many as six first-team members for the match
• Man United are on a 19-match unbeaten run in the league
• Romelu Lukaku is Premier League’s top scorer with 21 goals to his name
• Everton last won at Old Trafford back in 2013

Conclusion

Misfiring Manchester United are ready to receive an important boost with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Romelu Lukaku as the Premier League top scorer should enough of a guarantee for the exciting match in which both sides need to go for the kill if they want to extend their European hopes.

Verdict: Home win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Bet365