Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 17/10/2015
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
Everton play hosts to Manchester United at Goodison Park on Saturday and the match looks set to be an enticing encounter between two very good teams.
Everton managed to maintain their unbeaten run by claiming a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby and while the result could be seen as a positive one for the Toffees, manager Roberto Martinez would perhaps have wanted the win after his side performed so well on the day.
Nonetheless, a draw against Liverpool is never a bad result and now Martinez will prepare his side for another testing encounter when Manchester United pay a visit to Goodison Park on Saturday.
United suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal before the international break and the clash is surely set to be a tough one for Everton as the Red Devils will be desperate to get back on track this weekend.
Team News
Everton
Martinez has a lot of injury problems to contend with ahead of the clash as the likes of Leighton Baines, Muhamed Besic, Tom Cleverley, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar are all still ruled out due to various injuries while key defender John Stones is a doubt.
Tim Howard is the undisputed candidate to be starting in goal for Everton while the defence should consist of Brendan Galloway, Phil Jagielka, John Stones and Seamus Coleman. If Stones fails to recover in time for the clash, Ramiro Funes Mori will be taking his place in the starting lineup.
In midfield the impressive duo of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy will be starting for sure while the playmaker position will be occupied by Ross Barkley. Arouna Kone and Steven Naismith look the most likely candidates to play in the wide areas but the duo of Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas will be hopeful of starts as well.
Romelu Lukaku has been in sensational form in front of goal in recent times and the Belgian international will surely be looking to test the shaky looking United backline.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Galloway, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman, McCarthy, Barry, Naismith, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Manchester United (Probable XI): De Gea; Young, Blind, Smalling, Darmian; Carrick, Schneiderlin, Depay, Rooney, Mata; Martial
Last Meeting
6/04/2015 Everton 3 – 0 Manchester United
05/10/2014 Manchester United 2 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Everton have had the measure of United in recent times, claiming three victories in their last four Premier League encounters against the Red Devils.
As a result, Everton will be heading into the clash this weekend in confident mood and there is no reason why they cannot pull off another victory over the Premier League giants.
van Gaal’s United are reeling following their defeat against Arsenal
That said, United are reeling following their loss against Arsenal last time out and the clash is by no means going to be a walk in the park for Everton.
If Everton execute a proper game plan to put the United backline under pressure, especially the full backs, the Toffees will stand a great chance of claiming a victory and they might just be able to do so on the day.
Everton 2 – 1 Manchester United
