Everton vs Manchester United – Match Preview – Everton host Manchester United on New Year’s Day in Premier League action as both sides’ strikers return to their former clubs.
The hosts will be looking to continue their rampant climb up the Premier League standings with Sam Allardyce’s influence at the Toffee’s being an effective and efficient one.
Manchester United will be hoping to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City who are running away with the campaign. They will also have to look over their shoulder, as recent matches have seen them drop points that have allowed Chelsea to breathe down their neck once more.
Everton have really turned their season around and will be hoping for a ‘new year, new me’ start to 2018 after a 2017 that many Evertonians will want to forget. Players such as Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson have begun to show their true talents under Allardyce’s reign. This will be the second time Rooney has faced his old club this season and the Englishman would love to remind the travelling fans that he’s still got what it takes. Everton have become much more comfortable sitting back and staying as a compact unit against the top sides, and United have struggled to break sides down before with those tactics. Can Big Sam frustrate Mourinho once more?
Skybet Match Result – Everton to Win – 17/4
Manchester United will need a miracle for Manchester City to become within reaching distance again this season. Their local city rivals can afford to lose all their matches until February and still lead in the standings.
On the home straight of the congested Christmas period, Mourinho will be hoping to illustrate stability for the fans who are annoyed that City have widened the gap beyond return. Romelu Lukaku has been a frustrating figure at times this season spearheading the United attack but has also got the job done with 10 goals and 4 assists so far. Jesse Lingard, a player who often divides opinion, has become a revelation this season under Mourinho’s reign. These two could cause real problems for the Everton defence.
Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – Manchester Utd to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 – 6/4
Everton have often been much better in front of a home crowd this season. They have scored two or more goals in 60% of their home Premier League matches this season.
Manchester United have been awarded an average of 5.2 corners on the road in the Premier League this season.
Andre Marriner will take charge of the fixture down at Goodison Park. The referee has awarded an average of 29.2 booking points in his 13 Premier League fixtures.
Suggested Tips
- Bet365 – Correct Score – 2-2 – (link no longer available)
- Bet365 – Total Goals/Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 & Yes – (link no longer available)
- Bet365 – Match Result – Draw – (link no longer available)