Manchester United vs Everton verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets
Manchester United Marcus Rashford
Manchester United host Everton in the early game on Saturday looking to cement their place in the top four of the Premier League.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Premier League, Saturday, April 8, kick-off 12.30pm, BT Sport 1
Predicted score
Suggested bets
Manchester Utd to draw with Everton
Manchester Utd vs Everton under 2.5 goals
Key stats
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Manchester United's last three PL games.
Everton have won just one of the last nine games between the sides.
Everton have not won at Old Trafford since 2013.
Manchester United have won 10 of their 14 away games.
Everton have won just one of their 14 away games.
Manchester United are 23 games unbeaten at Old Trafford.
Team news
Casemiro serves the fourth and final game of his domestic suspension. Luke Shaw will miss out with a hamstring problem and Tyrell Malacia is set to replace him. Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho, Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton remain sidelined. Wout Weghorst is set to start on the bench after being dropped against Brentford.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is banned after being sent off against Spurs. James Garner could get a first Premier League start, but Sean Dyche is more likely to change formation. Vitaliy Mykolenko could come in at left-wing back with a three-man central backline. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be assessed ahead of the game.
Verdict
Manchester United scrapped their way to a 1-0 win over Brentford in midweek. It was far from a classic and David de Gea had to expertly save one-on-one from Kevin Schade to make sure their lead remained intact.
After a run of three games without scoring, it was important to get back on the goal trail and who else but Marcus Rashford got the goal. If Everton can keep the England man quiet then they will have a great chance of extending their four-match unbeaten run, because elsewhere not many others look like scoring for United.
Brentford gave United too much respect in a poor first half and Dyche's men will not repeat that mistake. Expect Everton to be in the faces of United to make sure the hosts do not get into an early rhythm.
United were pegged back for spells against the Bees in the second period, but they showed resilience to dig out the three points. It promises to be a similar affair against the Toffees, who will rely on set-pieces to cause United problems.
Everton somehow managed to get a draw against Spurs in midweek despite having Doucoure dismissed. They have shown a resolve since the appointment of Dyche and they managed 16 shots to Spurs' eight in that Goodison Park draw despite having little possession.
Away from home they have managed recent draws at Chelsea and Forest and in Alex Iwobi and Demarai Gray, they have players who can hurt United.
Doucoure's absence will be a miss though, just as Casemiro's absence has hit United.
United are 1/2 chances and statistically that looks about right, but Erik ten Hag's men are struggling to hit the heights of recent months and Everton will be hard to beat. This means plumping for the draw looks like being a decent punt.
