Everton v Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Everton host Man Utd in the English Premier League on Sunday. The Toffees were docked 10 points for FFP breaches but have won six of their last nine matches in all competitions. United have five wins in their last seven in the league as they’ve eked out all of those victories by one-goal margins.

Everton Form

Everton took one point from their first five league matches. They’ve since returned to a good level and have managed six wins in the last nine fixtures in the league and Carabao Cup. A fine 3-1 win at Brentford in the league was followed by a 2-1 cup win at Aston Villa and then a shock 2-1 home loss to Luton.

Their only loss in the last six was with ten men in a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool. They’ve beaten Bournemouth 3-0 and won 1-0 at West Ham. After a 3-0 home win over Burnley in the League Cup, Everton drew 1-1 at home with Brighton. Before the FIFA break, Dyche’s team went to Crystal Palace and won 3-2.

Everton Team News

Seamus Coleman should return to the squad for this game after injury. Amadou Onana has had a calf strain and will require a late fitness test ahead of this match. Idrissa Gueye is on standby to replace the latter alongside James Garner in midfield.

The rest of the XI looks set to be the same. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line and Jarrad Branthwaite will play as centre-back. Nathan Patterson may lose out to Ashley Young in the right-back position.

Everton Motivation

Motivation should be extra high for this match after the points deduction. Goodison Park will be rocking.

Sean Dyche’s side won’t care about possession, but they will play with intensity and carry a threat on crosses and set pieces. They will look to win the match.

Man Utd Form

United’s last 15 matches have seen no draws and they’ve been beaten eight times. After successive home losses, 1-0 to Crystal Palace and 3-2 to Galatasaray, they ground out three wins on the bounce. They scored two late goals to beat Brentford, won 2-1 at Sheffield United, and needed a late penalty to be saved to beat Copenhagen 1-0 at home.

Successive 3-0 home losses saw Newcastle eliminate United from the League Cup before Man City won with ease at Old Trafford. Their last two league matches have seen a 1-0 win at Fulham and a 1-0 home win over Luton. A 4-3 loss at FC Copenhagen sandwiched those narrow victories.

Man Utd Team News

Erik Ten Hag remains without Lisandro Martinez in defence and Casemiro in midfield. Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans are also ruled out for a few weeks. Scott McTominay and Sofyan Amrabat are likely to play in midfield.

At the back, Harry Maguire could be partnered by either Victor Lindelof or Raphael Varane. Rasmus Hojlung is a doubt for this one, meaning Marcus Rashford could play centrally or Anthony Martial could get a rare chance. Andre Onana should shake off a knock to play.

Man Utd Motivation

Right now, Man Utd are getting wins in the league by trying to be solid and winning by single-goal margins.

They will play for the same kind of win here. A draw would be seen as an okay result but not one Ten Hag will actively settle for.

Key Stats

Everton have won 6 of their last 9 matches in all competitions

Everton have won 2 of their 7 home league matches this season

Everton have lost their last 3 matches vs Man Utd

Man Utd have conceded 10 goals in their last 5 matches

Man Utd have won 5 of their last 7 league matches (all by one goal)

Man Utd have drawn none of their last 15 matches

Verdict

This feels like a low-scoring game potentially. Everton or Man Utd could win by the odd goal or even 1-0. It’s a difficult match to call.

Best Bet: Everton win at 2.70

High-Value Bet: Exactly 1 goal in the match at 5.00

Alternative Bet: Everton win/draw double chance + Under 3.5 goals at 2.15