When Everton visit Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, they’ll be hoping to win their first league match in 2024.
Even though the Toffees got four points back after their appeal against the 10 point deduction punishment, they are only five points above the relegation zone after two losses and four draws in their previous six games.
It is quite likely that the Toffees will lose more points in their second hearing for breaking PSR regulations. They will be fighting hard to get as much points as they can get now.
Manchester United will be trying to get back on track following their loss to Manchester City, even if they are progressively losing ground in the fight for the top four.
Although he would be tempted to settle for a draw, Chris Sutton believes the Red Devils will secure a valuable victory. For BBC Sport, he has picked Manchester United to win 2-1.
“Sean Dyche’s side gave United a decent game at Goodison Park in November, despite losing 3-0, and I feel like the score will be a lot closer this time. I am really tempted to go for a draw but I just know United will somehow nick another spawny win, so that is what I am going with.
“There were some people out there who gave them credit for hanging on for a long time against Manchester City last Sunday but I was not impressed. There is no disputing how good Marcus Rashford’s goal was to give United the lead, but the game was a mismatch and they are so far behind City – the two teams are worlds apart.
“Whether United do win this game or not probably comes down to whether striker Rasmus Hojlund is fit. If he does make it back from injury, it gives them a focal point in attack. Without him, we saw what happened to United last time out at Old Trafford when they lost to Fulham.”
When the teams last played at Goodison Park, the Toffees suffered a 3-0 defeat. They performed really well that day, and the result definitely doesn’t reflect that.
As for United, they need to pick up pace in the Premier League top four race in order to catch Tottenham and Aston Villa who are quickly running away.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping to avoid similar result like his team suffered against Fulham last time at Old Trafford.
