Premier League: Sunday Night Showdown is a Real Barometer

Everton vs Manchester United

When these sides met at Goodison Park in the Premier League six months ago, I watched the contest, which Everton won 1-0, with despair.

Not only did I feel I was witnessing the most underwhelming Everton team in my lifetime, but I was staggered at the lack of urgency from Manchester United, supposedly chasing a Champions League place and against hosts devoid of confidence and nerves clearly emanating from the stands.

Fast forward to early October and this Sunday night showdown offers the chance to see what improvements, if any, are being made in both camps.

Talking Points

Of course, that win for the Merseysiders in early April was not only invaluable in their bid to bear the drop but was a shot in the arm at time when they needed it most.

The Toffees went onto beat another big gun in Chelsea and fought back from 2-0 down to see off Crystal Palace, a result which ultimately secured their survival with one game to spare and sparked incredible scenes.

Since then, one of the scorers in that match, Richarlison, has been sold to Spurs for £60 million and Everton manager Frank Lampard has embarked on a rebuilding mission involving players at the other end of the price spectrum.

Two of those recruits, Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil, netted twice in three minutes at Southampton last weekend to earn them their second league victory of the season and back-to-back wins for only the second time since January.

A clear improvement defensively has certainly given them a foundation in recent weeks, meaning Everton have conceded the fewest goals (eight) so far this term.

That’s two fewer than champions Manchester City, although granted they let slip two late goals in the Manchester derby last weekend when the game had long been over.

Fresh from that 6-3 hammering, how United react will be a real test of the direction in which they are heading with a humiliating start preceding four straight and impressive wins under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Raphael Varane went off in that game and, as United’s best defender, they could do with him back at Goodison.

He faces a battle to be fit, otherwise Victor Lindelof will partner Lisandro Martinez at centre back with captain Harry Maguire joining Aaron Wan Bissaka and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines.

The hosts could be boosted by the return of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who, whether from the start or the bench, is in contention to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina have returned to training and may also be among the substitutes.

History

Since their first meeting in 1892, when United were known as Newton Heath, this has been a traditional English football heavyweight clash.

For so long in the 1980s Everton had the edge; in the Premier League era United have largely been the dominant force.

Overall, they have 90 triumphs to Everton’s 71 with a further 47 games ending level.

Two seasons ago United won twice at Goodison Park, inspired by Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani respectively in the top flight and League Cup. Of course, on both occasions due to Covid restrictions, Goodison was less hostile than usual for visiting teams.

The corresponding fixture last term saw young Anthony Gordon score the only goal midway through the first half as the Toffees defeated lacklustre opponents who dominated the ball but failed in the final third.

Earlier in the campaign, the sides drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in a game largely devoid of Premier League highlights when Anthony Martial and Andros Townsend traded goals.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds back United 1X2 @ 2.28 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.38.

The hosts are a little adrift at both 1X2 @ 3.30 and +0.25 @ 2.14.

The draw is not an unusual result in this fixture and is on offer @ 3.40, while a repeat of Everton’s 1-0 triumph from last time will pay out @ 10.50 with Correct Score.

I do expect goals and the assortment of options include over 2.75 @ 2.11, total goal 0-1 @ 3.70, 2-3 @ 1.96 and 4-6 @ 3.35.

It is hard to know if Everton have an advantage given they have had eight days between games whereas United were in action on Thursday night in Cyprus in the Europa League.

This will be a real close contest and my *** tip is over 2.75 goals @ 2.11.

 

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