Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 20/04/2014
Kick-off: 16:10 (BST)
Match
Everton’s hope of securing a Champions Leaguer spot were handed a huge blow after the shock defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace in midweek. Manager Roberto Martinez had said that he was hurt by the loss and it certainly hurt the Toffees’ chances of making it into the top four.
However, there is still belief within the Everton camp that they can still trump Arsenal to the fourth spot but the Toffees certainly cannot afford to lose any more points from now till the end of the season.
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester United are the visitors to Goodison Park next and it will certainly be a fiery occasion, with former manager David Moyes returning to the club for the first time since his departure at the end of last season.
While Moyes had done a sterling job at Everton during his 11-year stay, he has failed miserably at the unenviable task of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at United. The champions are now a shadow of the team that romped to the title last season and Everton perhaps head into the game as favourites against United for the first time in many years.
That being said though, the Red Devils still have a host of world class players in their ranks and are also the team with the best away record in the division. As a result, the Toffees can ill afford to underestimate a squad of the caliber of United and have to be at their best to pick up all three points.
Everton Team News
Everton suffered an uncharacteristic collapse in defence against Palace in midweek but Martinez will probably keep faith in the same defensive lineup which has served so well over the course of the campaign which means that Leighton Baines, John Stones, Sylvain Distin and Seamus Coleman will start. Captain Phil Jagielka is nearing a return but will most probably not be risked this weekend.
James McCarthy surprisingly did not start in midweek but the youngster looks certain to be reinstated to the starting lineup against United on Sunday and he will partnering Gareth Barry in midfield.
Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley were impressive despite Everton suffering defeat and duo should retain their place in the starting lineup but Gerard Deulofeu and Aiden McGeady could drop to the bench in favour of either Leon Osman or Steven Naismith.
If Naismith starts, Romelu Lukaku will most probably be pushed out on the right wing and will be asked to exploit the defensively susceptible Patrice Evra.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Stones, Distin, Coleman; Mirallas, Barry, Barkley, McCarthy, Deulofeu; Lukaku
Manchester United (Probable XI): De Gear; Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Kagawa, Carrick, Mata, Fellaini, Valencia; Rooney
Form
Everton: W W W W L
Manchester United: L W D W L
Last Meeting
05/12/2013 Manchester United 0 – 1 Everton
10/02/2013 Manchester United 2 – 0 Everton
Prediction
If there was ever a good time to be able to do a double against United for Everton, it would be this season. It is clear to see that the Red Devils are suffering and incredibly have nothing to play for with five games of the season yet to play.
Therefore, Everton should be looking to assert themselves and make it uncomfortable for the Red Devils. The Toffees certainly need the three points more than United do and should look to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
However, one should still remember that United are still very dangerous and in David Moyes, they have a manager who knows Everton inside out.
Midfield supremacy will be key on the day. The likes of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini have not been at their best and the duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry should look to dominate the midfield, while the likes of Kevin Mirallas, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku must put the shaky United defence under pressure.
The Everton defence need to be on their guard as well, as in Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Shinji Kagawa and Antonio Valencia, the Red Devils have a world-class attacking lineup.
The match will certainly be no cakewalk for Everton and Martinez’s side should surely be at their best to overcome United. The Toffees do head into the game in a good run of form but United are also a very good away side so an entertaining draw could be on the cards.
Everton 2 – 2 Manchester United
