“Fact Or Fiction” is a series that will be run every Friday. In this series, an assertion will be made regarding an impacting topic in the Premier League. EPL Talk writers Matt Hackenmiller and Earl Reed each offer their views on whether the statement is “Fact or Fiction.”

Fact or Fiction: Everton will beat Manchester United this weekend.

MH: Fact. This answer isn’t based solely on the thrashing that United took last weekend at the hands of Manchester City. The Red Devils are sure to come out with a different looking squad and I am sure that Ferguson hasn’t let his players forget about the 6-1 score. Even with that said, Goodison Park has been a difficult venue for United to play at the past few seasons. United’s last outright win at Everton was during the 2007/2008 season. Plus, this is a Everton team that is starting to round into shape after a quality win last weekend against Fulham. Now consider that this is a United side whose confidence is shaken against a game Everton squad who will
be looking to continue the Red Devil’s woes.

ER: Fiction. As a guy who tends to have a dislike for the big clubs, of course I’ll be rooting for Everton to make it two in a row for Manchester United this weekend. But as a fan of multiple sports throughout my life, I have seen over and over that true champions respond to adversity. Victory this weekend will not escape Manchester United. It’s one thing to lose in a UEFA Champions League Final to an F.C. Barcelona team that should beat you on paper. It’s another to have your crosstown rivals open a wound nearly bone-deep in your bread-and-butter competition. But it was much worse than that; Manchester City then took rock salt and mercilessly plied it deep into the throbbing laceration. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I have this feeling that Sir Alex relishes these opportunities to trot out his motivational gifts (even if it means spending a little of the Glazer’s fortune on replacing clubhouse furniture). If Tim Howard isn’t forced to drag the ball out of his net at least four times in this match, I’ll be astonished.

What do you think, is it fact or fiction that Everton will beat Manchester United this weekend?