Prediction: Manchester United vs Everton

Verdict: Manchester United win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their Champions League charge this weekend, Manchester United will welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, managing to make an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week thanks to a rugged 1-0 victory against Brentford, Manchester United will be desperate to avoid a potential banana skin here. While Erik ten Hag’s men might have continued to show some recent inconsistencies away from Old Trafford this season, the former Ajax boss finds his side sat in pole position to claim a crucial top-four return in 2023. Punching their Europa League quarter-final ticket last month as they cruised their way to a 5-1 aggregate romp against Spanish outfit Real Betis, the Premier League giants have now lost just a pair of their last 18 appearances across all competitions. Ending their six-year trophy drought back in February as they were crowned EFL Cup champions thanks to a 2-0 victory against Newcastle at Wembley, ten Hag should be smelling a golden chance this weekend. It should be noted, when United welcomed Everton to Old Trafford for an FA Cup showdown on January 6th, United will be seeking a repeat display here.

Team News

Still serving a suspension following his straight red card against Southampton on March 12th, Manchester United will once again be without midfield talisman Casemiro. Likewise, suffering a recent injury blow prior to the international break, Alejandro Garnacho is not expected to feature at Old Trafford.

Bagging the winner against Brentford earlier in the week and notching 15 Premier League strikes this season, the red-hot Marcus Rashford will spearhead ten Hag’s attack on Saturday lunchtime.

Everton

As for the visitors, managing to snatch what was a stunning last-gasp point at home against Tottenham earlier in the week, Everton have claimed a crucial boost on either side of the international break. Eventually snatching a 1-1 draw against the top-four contenders, Sean Dyche’s men have also found a route out of the drop zone. Simply with their sights set on painting their Premier League status this season, the former Burnley boss should find the mood in his camp at a recent high. Heading into the fortnight interval on March 18th as they claimed an action-packed 2-2 draw away at Chelsea, the Blues are now unbeaten in each of their last four Premier League appearances. However, mustering just a single top-flight victory since back on February 18th, Dyche’s side have also gained a reputation for their rather glaring struggles away from Goodison Park. In fact, including a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Arsenal last month, Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single win outside of Merseyside so far this season.

Team News

Shown a straight red card in Monday’s 1-1 draw at home against Tottenham, Everton will be with the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure when they travel to Old Trafford this weekend. Long-term injury absentee Andros Townsend still remains on the sidelines with a knee issue.

While Dominic Calvert-Lewin might be inching towards a return from his two-month layoff, the 26-year-old is not expected to feature on Saturday lunchtime. Despite recording just a single Premier League strike since January 3rd, Demarai Gary should spearhead Everton’s attack here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met while on FA Cup duties back on January 6th, Manchester United claimed a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
• Likewise, when Manchester United and Everton faced-off for their reverse Premier League contest on October 9th, the Red Devils clinched a 2-1 win at Goodison Park.
• Saturday’s hosts have lost just one of their last 10 straight meetings against Everton – a run that stems all the way back to April 2019.
• 15 of the previous 16 meetings between Manchester United and Everton have finished with over 1.5 goals.
• The Toffees have claimed just a single Premier League victory away from Goodison Park so far this season.

Conclusion

Watching Manchester United make an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week thanks to a 1-0 victory against Brentford, Everton will know that they face a real challenge here. While the Toffees might be enjoying their own welcomed boost on either side of the international break, Saturday’s guests remain at the heart of a relegation scrap. Suffering a 3-1 loss when they traveled to Old Trafford on January 6th for an FA Cup showdown, Everton should be worried by their continued struggles against the top-four contenders. With United losing just one of their last 10 straight meetings against the bottom-three candidates, we are expecting a home victory this weekend.

Verdict: Manchester United win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet