Manchester United v Everton Preview: United Look to Improve On Nine Point Lead

Manchester United v Everton
English Premier League
Old Trafford, Manchester
Sunday 10 February, 2013
16:00 GMT

Manchester United will be looking to maintain their nine point lead at the top of the table and take one step closer to wrestling away the Premier League title from Manchester City. This is the sort of fixture Everton need to take points from in their quest for fourth place.

Manchester United Preview

Spurs remain the only side to have taken anything from Old Trafford so far this season with United winning all of their other matches. They have scored more home goals than any other team with 32 and they have solidified defensively with a current total of 15 conceded.

Injuries and Suspensions

Darren Fletcher is out for the rest of the season while Ashley Young has also been ruled out of the side. Michael Carrick is unlikely to play with an ankle problem while Phil Jones is set to miss out following a bout of illness which kept him out of the England team in mid-week.

United are 7/10 for the win with the bookies, although if you’re looking to place a bet on the game you should browse at your favourite sportsbook to find the best odds on a score-win – Everton almost always score against United.

Everton Preview

Everton have done well away from home this season, digging in to produce an impressive record of four wins, six draws and only two defeats. Everton have conceded fewer away goals than United, Chelsea and Spurs who are all above them in the table.

Injuries and Suspensions

Seamus Coleman and Tony Hibbert have both been ruled out of action for this match. Marouane Fellaini is also unlikely to play as he’s struggling with a hip problem which stopped him from playing for Belgium during the mid-week international friendlies.

Everton are a very tempting 4/1 to cause a shock.

Manchester United v Everton Statistics

United have an absolutely stunning record this season of 20 wins, two draws and three defeats. They have scored more goals than any other side which was the issue that stopped them from winning the Premier League title last season. It’s also enabled them to secure a goal difference of plus 29.

Everton have lost the same number of games as United this season but they have been held back by the number of draws they’ve secured which is currently 12. Everton have conceded just 30 goals this season which is the reason they are in the mix for a Champions League place.

Head to Head: There have been 90 matches between these two sides at Old Trafford. United have 50 wins compared to Everton’s 19. This match last season produced the dramatic 4-4 draw which went a long way to costing United the title.

Recent Form

United have won their only match in February so far with a 1-0 win away at Fulham thanks to a goal from Wayne Rooney. That was preceded by wins from all matches in January other than the draw away at Tottenham.

Everton’s only match this month was the 3-3 draw at home against Aston Villa when they trailed 3-1. January produced four games without a defeat as the side secured two wins and two draws.

Manchester United v Everton Prediction

Fellaini’s absence for Everton makes their task even more difficult and it’s very easy to see a United win in this match. It will be tight but United should pull through over the second 45 minutes. Manchester United 2-0 Everton.

United to win by this 2-0 score is currently 15/2 with the bookmakers.