The biggest game of New Year’s Day takes place at Goodison Park as Everton host Manchester United with both of these sides in need of a win. Everton and Manchester United have been underwhelming in recent weeks with Manchester United winless in their last four games in all competitions, whilst Everton have failed to win any of their last three Premier League matches after a strong start under Sam Allardyce.
Premier League – Everton v Manchester United – Goodison Park, Liverpool – Monday January 1st, 2018 – 17:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 12/5 at Ladbrokes |
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Everton
Manchester UnitedEverton
Everton were disappointing in their 2-1 loss to Bournemouth last time out and Sam Allardyce will be expecting a much improved performance from his players on New Year’s Day. Wayne Rooney started that game on the bench after suffering from illness over the Christmas period, but the former England and Manchester United captain will be hoping to start against his old club on Monday. Everton have no fresh injury concerns heading into the game, but Allardyce may choose to freshen up his squad.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho’s side were disappointing, yet again, in their last match, drawing 0-0 with Southampton. Things were made even worse for Mourinho with both of his strikers, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, being stretchered off with serious injuries. Manchester United have been extremely poor in recent weeks, drawing three and losing one of their last four matches and this side look short of confidence right now. Expect Mourinho to make a number of changes for this clash, but he is hampered slightly by injuries to his two strikers along with Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly.
Talking Points
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 6 matches at Goodison Park.
- Yannick Bolasie suffered a serious injury in this same fixture back in December 2016, but the winger could return on New Year’s Day after more than a year out against the same opposition.
- These two sides meet for the 199th time in all competitions, with United having an outstanding record of W86, D43, L69.
Prediction
This could be a tight contest on Monday between two sides who are in desperate need of a win following a poor run of form. You feel that Manchester United have to come good, sooner rather than later and Lukaku’s injury could well be a blessing in disguise. You would expect Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial to move into the central attacking role and that could well give United more pace and mobility in attack. I’m backing United to get back to winning ways in this one, but I don’t think it will be pretty!
Everton v Manchester United – Betting Odds and Predictions
Manchester United start this game as 3/4 favourites, whilst a home win for Everton is priced up at 9/2, with the draw available 12/5.
Top Betting Tip Everton v Manchester United
Those odds on the draw are tempting, especially when you consider that Manchester United have drawn all three of their most recent games and they could well struggle for goals in this one. I’m backing Under 2.5 goals in this game at 6/10 as I just can’t see there being too many goals in it. One of the #YourCall bets that has caught my eye is; Man United Win, Over 10.5 Corners, Over 35.5 Bookings Points at 13/2.
Under 2.5 Goals – 6/10 (Coral)