Manchester United vs Everton: Preview and Prediction
Manchester United will look to extend their unbeaten streak at home when they will host Everton on Saturday at Old Trafford. The Red Devils quickly brushed off their defeat against Newcastle United and clinched a 1-0 win against Brentford to rise back to the top four of the Premier League table.
Manchester United have not lost in 23 successive matches on home soil since a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad back in September. Goalkeeper David de Gea has been a firm wall for the Red Devils at home as he has three clean sheets from United’s last three contests in front of their home fans.
On the other hand, Everton is currently placed above the relegation zone thanks to a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday. Sean Dyche’s side is currently clear of danger in the 16th but they need to keep the momentum going in order to avoid relegation danger.
Current Form
Manchester United have won two, lost two and drawn one in their last 5 Premier League matches. In their previous encounter, Erik ten Hag’s men registered a 1-0 win over Brentford courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s goal.
Those three points pushed Manchester United up above Tottenham Hotspur and kept their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes well and truly alive.
Meanwhile, Everton has claimed one win, one loss, and three draws in their last 5 Premier League encounters. Despite playing with 10 men after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s red card, Everton managed to take out a draw thanks to Michael Keane’s 90th-minute thunderbolt. The draw against Tottenham Hotspurs has put Sean Dyche’s side clear of relegation danger for the time being.
Head to Head Record
Manchester United and Everton have a long-standing rivalry, with the former holding the upper hand in terms of head-to-head records. Out of the 210 matches played between the two teams, the Red Devils have emerged victorious on 92 occasions, compared to Everton’s 71.
In the Premier League, Manchester United have won 38 league games against Everton. Talking about the recent interactions between these two sides, Everton has had a dismal record, having won only one of their last 29 away matches against the Red Devils in the Premier League.
Team News
Abdoulaye Doucoure will serve a three-game ban for a tussle with Harry Kane
Manchester United will be without their star midfielder Casemiro as he serves the fourth and final game of his domestic suspension. However, the Red Devils have been dealt another blow with left-back Luke Shaw picking up a hamstring injury in their win over Brentford. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho, Tom Heaton, and Donny van de Beek remain out for United due to long-term injuries.
Everton’s midfield will also be missing a key player as Abdoulaye Doucoure serves the second game of his three-match ban for his clash with Harry Kane.
Unfortunately for the Toffees, they also have injury concerns of their own, with Andros Townsend expected to be sidelined for a few weeks due to a knee problem, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin still struggling with a thigh injury. However, left-back Ruben Vinagre is available after recovering from a tight Achilles.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphaël Varane, Lisandro Martínez, Tyrell Malacia; Fred, Marcel Sabitzer; Antony, Bruno Fernandes ©, Marcus Rashford; Anthony Martial
Everton (3-4-3): Jordan Pickford; Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Ben Godfrey; Séamus Coleman ©, Andre Onana, Idrissa Gueye, Vitalii Mykolenko; Alex Iwobi, Demarai Gray, Dwight McNeil
Prediction
Although past records do not always dictate the outcome of a match, Manchester United are still favourites to seal this game. Accordingly, we have predicted a 2-0 scoreline in favor of the Red Devils.
