Manchester United will look to grab back-to-back victories for the first time this season when they face Everton this coming Sunday. The Red Devils are coming off a tight 2-1 win over West Ham and will look to grab all three points against an Everton side that snatched an unlikely draw against Liverpool last week.
Read on for a complete preview of this matchup and while you’re at it you can check out our preview of the big Premier League clash between Chelsea and Arsenal.
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Everton vs. Manchester United Betting Preview
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, October 5, 7:00 AM ET
Line: Everton +390 at Manchester United -180, tie +280; total 3.0 – view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]A win by Manchester United can see them move up to third behind Chelsea and Southampton at 11 points. A win by Everton, on the other hand, will help them climb to the top half of the league table.
Betting on Everton
Everton fans are in euphoria after snatching a late equalizer against archrivals Liverpool to force a 1-1 draw in their Premier League match last Sunday.
Captain Phil Jagielka scored an incredible strike from 25 yards out in second half injury time to provide a much-needed boost to Everton’s Premier League campaign. The Toffees are currently 15th in the league table with just six points to their name this season.
It was a much better performance from Everton especially on the defensive end compared to their previous outings. Prior to their draw against Liverpool, Everton had already allowed 13 goals this season as they slumped towards the bottom of the team standings.
As a result, center-back Sylvain Distin was dropped in the game against Liverpool and was replaced by John Stones who moved into his preferred central role. Martinez also decided to play midfielder Muhamed Besic who joined Gareth Barry and James McCarthy in a midfield with a more defensive mindset.
Martinez’s game plan worked as his men bounced back from a disappointing 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace the week before. He might as well apply the same tactics this week when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
United’s bread and butter this season has been their offense with all the attacking superstars at their disposal. Everton will look to strike on the counter-attack once again as they did repeatedly against Liverpool last weekend and will count on forward Romelu Lukaku to stretch the United defensive line.
The Belgian international is set to play his seventh game in 22 days in a grueling stretch for the Everton star. He will be backed up though by Scottish footballer Steven Naismith who currently leads the Toffees in scoring with three to his name so far this season.
Everton are unbeaten in three away games this season, winning once and drawing twice.
Manchester United are back in the win column after surviving a late West Ham resurgence to win 2-1 and record just their second victory of the season.
The Red Devils had to dig deep after captain Wayne Rooney was sent off for kicking Stuart Downing at the hour mark but managed to hold on as they climbed up to seventh in the league table with eight points.
Before his moment of madness, Rooney opened the scoring with a superb finish in the fifth minute before Robin van Persie doubled the advantage with a well-taken low shot shortly thereafter.
They will need to learn how to close games, however, as they almost let slip another late-game lead. They were sluggish at the start of the second half and could have been easily level with West Ham if not for an excellent defensive header by 19-year-old rookie Paddy Mcnair and a fortuitous offside call on Kevin Nolan.
The way United stood firm, however, against West Ham’s repeated attacks on goal will be a welcome sight for manager Louis van Gaal who saw his team capitulate against Leicester City the week before. They will need to repeat that defensive fortitude against an Everton side that is also struggling at the present time. They will be boosted by the return of England international Phil Jones who is declared fit after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The one thing that is not lacking for United at the moment, however, is in their attack. They have scored an average of three goals in their last three games, thanks in large part to an offensive unit that boasts the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria. Unfortunately, Wayne Rooney will miss the game against Everton this coming weekend because of suspension resulting from his red card against West Ham.
A much bigger blow for United is the injury to midfielder Ander Herrera who suffered a fractured rib in the game against West Ham last Saturday. A regular fixture at the center of midfield, his departure will mean more playing time for vice-captain Darren Fletcher.
The Red Devils have won their last two games at Old Trafford, outscoring the opposition 6-1.
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester United (-180) cruise to a three-goal win.
