By Manchester United travels to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday afternoon in their next Premier League clash. Merseyside club are hoping for three points against United to reach at top of the league table. United enters this fixture after their surprise 2-1 defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday. Both sides will try to return to winning ways, but Red Devils needed three points at any cost.
PREVIEW: EVERTON VS MANCHESTER UNITED
EVERTON:
Everton started this season with four league victories, opening day away victory against Tottenham Hotspur. Their strong opening placed them at top of the league ahead of the so-called top-six heavyweights. They also recorded three victories in Carabao Cup fixtures to reach the quarter-final this season.
Premier League Champions Liverpool halted their seven-match winning run at Goodison Park with a 2-2 draw. VAR played a crucial role in that controversial Merseyside Derby. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford skipped a red card for his challenge on Reds’ Virgil Van Dijk, later now ruled out for the entire season. VAR also denied a late goal by skipper Jordan Henderson, citing Sadio Mane offside, but replay showed him behind the Everton line.
After that, the Toffees suffered two away defeats to Southampton and Newcastle United. Everton now sits at 4th position in the league table after 7 fixtures with 13 points. Everton are also struggling defensively this season, with just 1 clean sheet in the league fixtures, that came in the opening match against Spurs. They are still ahead of their expectations but need a victory against United to stay in top-four.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
This fixture will be the last match for Ole Gunner Solskjaer as a Manchester United manager if they suffer another defeat. United are suffering from the worst start to their Premier League season since 1986-87, ex-manager David Moyes also had the same start during his 10 months reign at Old Trafford.
3 defeats in the opening 6 league fixtures have placed them at 15th position in the league table with just 7 points. Arch-rivals Liverpool are already at top of the table, with 9 points more. This could have been worse if they didn’t have the help of the goalpost and extra time penalty goal against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Red Devils’ defense has been the main problem at Old Trafford, most notably the form of skipper Harry Maguire. In their last fixture, Istanbul Basaksehir striker Demba Ba scored the opening goal with no United defender to mark of follow him.
Home form is also a worry for United this season with just 1 point from 4 fixtures. They already have lost against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at home and had 1 point only against Chelsea.
TEAM NEWS AND INJURY UPDATES:
EVERTON:
New summer signing James Rodriguez is expected to return for the Saturday fixture after missing the last match due to a minor injury. Key left-back Lucas Digne will also return to the starting eleven after missing out against Newcastle due to suspension.
INJURY UPDATE!
James Rodriguez is likely to be available for Everton’s clash against Man United this weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti has described his absence as a “small injury”, which is thought to have been sustained in the draw against Liverpool.
Source: (Liverpool Echo) pic.twitter.com/tg0JgX3v9s
— Everton FC News
INJURY UPDATE!
(@NilSatisNews) November 4, 2020Brazilian forward Richarlison will miss the United fixture due to suspension. Midfielder Andre Gomes is a minor doubt after suffering a slight injury in the last match. Central defender Mason Holgate will be the sole player unavailable due to a long-term injury.
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Star forward Anthony Martial will be back for United after missing out last three league fixtures due to suspension. Solskjaer will have to make a strong decision on a regular central midfield pair, with many changes happened in the last two weeks.
Key midfielder Paul Pogba is struggling for form this season and is expected to bench for the Everton trip on Saturday. New summer signing Alex Telles will miss this fixture due to testes positive for Covid-19 last week. Eric Bailly is also ruled out to long-term injury alongside Phil Jones.
HEAD TO HEAD: EVERTON VS MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United have defeated Everton 36 times in league history, more than any opponent. This will give some minor positive morale for the traveling side. But the good news for Everton fans that they have been unbeaten against United in their last three fixture.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS AND RESULT:
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gomes, Rodriguez, Iwobi, Richarlison.
Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Mctominay, Fernandez, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial.
Result Prediction: Everton 1-1 Manchester United.
