Everton welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park in a huge Premier League clash at both ends of the table.
Victory would see Everton move four points clear of the relegation zone but stay 17th in the table, whereas Man Utd can go as high as fifth with a win.
Team News
Michael Keane and Allan are both in contention to start for Everton after completing different lengths of suspension in recent matches.
Andre Gomes (knock) is a doubt but Tom Davies, Donny van de Beek (both thigh), Nathan Patterson (ankle), Yerry Mina (quad) and Andros Townsend (knee) are ruled out.
Man Utd could welcome Cristiano Ronaldo back into the squad after he missed their 1-1 draw against Leicester last weekend due to illness.
Luke Shaw (leg) and Jesse Lingard (illness) are doubts but Edinson Cavani (unspecified) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Everton are winless in their last five league meetings against Manchester United (D4, L1).
- Man Utd have lost just one of their last six league visits to Everton (W3, D2, L1).
- Three of the last four draws in this fixture finished 1-1, with only one of those three 1-1 draws coming at Goodison Park.
- Each of Everton’s last three home matches in the Premier League have been settled by 1-0 results, with the Toffees losing two of those three games (W1, L2).
- Utd have scored in all seven Premier League away matches since Ralf Rangnick was appointed manager in early December, scoring 13 goals and conceding 11 goals.
Prediction
Despite having fought back to lead at half-time against Burnley on Wednesday, poor defending and individual decision making again proved to be Everton’s Achilles heel in their eventual loss, which holds huge concern about their survival prospects given their tough run-in.
Frank Lampard though will be glad to see Keane and Allan return from suspension but a huge reaction is required here, if they’re to put the pressure back onto Burnley in the race for survival.
Man Utd meanwhile haven’t been in consistent form in the past month but were particularly sloppy in attack against Leicester last weekend, with David De Gea largely rescuing them a draw through excellent saves on top of luck from VAR decision makers.
Utd though have had a week to prepare which could be crucial because they can afford to come out aggressive early on, especially if Everton’s confidence is still low from their midweek defeat and if Ronaldo starts then an away win is surely likely.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Result: Everton 1-0 Manchester United