Manchester United travel to Everton this weekend looking to build on some impressive league results in recent weeks. Despite shaky performances and narrow scorelines, Erik ten Hag’s side are the most in-form team in the Premier League over the last five gameweeks.
They will, however, be coming up against a tough opponent on Saturday. Sean Dyche’s men were hit with a 10-point deduction over the international break, and that will, no doubt, fuel them ahead of the game against the Manchester giants. Coupled with the fact that Goodison Park is always a tough stadium to visit, that makes this fixture fascinating, and the odds provided by Bingosites.co.uk show it’s a close one to call.
Everton vs Manchester United: Preview
United’s Recent Success Seemingly Only a Facade
United come into this one in good form on paper. The Red Devils have won four of their last five league games, and have lost only once since September – to champions Manchester City.
Stats, however, can be misleading.
Since September, United have, alongside their Premier League victories, lost to both FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the Champions League, seeing them fall to bottom of their group with just two matches left. They were also knocked out of the Carabou Cup in the Round of 16, losing 3-0 to last year’s runners-up, Newcastle.
Meanwhile, for all the points they have been picking up in the league, their performances have been less than convincing.
To beat Brentford they required two injury-time moments of magic from Scott McTominay, while a win against Fulham was only possible thanks to another injury-time goal, this one from Bruno Fernandes.
Regardless, Ten Hag will hope his team can use the momentum they have built from their results to power them towards another victory, this time against Everton.
Everton on the Way Up
Like United, Everton’s recent form has been impressive.
After a tough start to the season, the Toffees’ results have picked up of late, with six wins in their last nine games in all competitions, the most recent of which was a superbly battled 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace.
With just four points now on the board after their recent, controversial points deduction, Everton will be raring to go when they come up against United this weekend. With the wind at their backs and an additional cause to fight for, the Goodison Park faithful may well have a positive result to look forward to this weekend.
Contrasting Injury Situations
The two sides have injury situations on opposite ends of the spectrum heading into the game.
Everton only have four current first-team players missing, including long-term absentees Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli, and Andre Gomes. Amadou Onana is also likely to miss the game, with Dyche revealing in his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Ama’s calf, I don’t think it will be right. It’s still sore.” Onana could prove a damning loss, with his creative influence being key for Everton.
Importantly, talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin recently returned from injury and appears to be maintaining his fitness well.
United, on the other hand, go into this game with 11 players sidelined.
Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez are both out with long-term injuries and are not set to return for some time. Jadon Sancho is also unavailable due to his ongoing disciplinary matter with Ten Hag.
Although backup left-back Tyrell Malacia is unlikely to make it back from his months-long injury this week, first-choice in the position Luke Shaw may return in time to face Everton. The Englishman has been unavailable since August but is set to rejoin the squad at some point in the next week or two.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s fitness is also unknown after he missed United’s last match, against Luton, a couple of weeks ago. It also remains to be seen whether Rasmus Hojlund will be able to make the starting lineup against Everton after being forced off in the Luton game around an hour after his fellow countryman Christian Eriksen, who won’t be back in the side for a few weeks.
Other likely absentees include Casemiro, Jonny Evans, and Facundo Pellistri.
And, to add insult to injury Ten Hag told the media in his press conference on Friday that Mason Mount had become yet another injury doubt for the Everton game, and that the England international’s availability would rest upon a late fitness test.
Betting Odds
The odds for this one don’t have either side as runaway favourites to win the game. The bookies have backed United to get the job done with 6/4 odds, but a win for the Toffees is priced only slightly higher at 7/4. At 12/5, a draw is seen as the least likely outcome of this fixture, with both sides having a lot to play for and needing a strong start to the congested festive period.
