Manchester United vs Everton
A first home Premier League game for a new manager is always tinged with excitement for the club which has just recruited and early Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford will be no exception. The visit of Everton actually represents a clash between two bosses who appear to have very different philosophies – although in Sean Dyche’s defence, he has probably had to oversee a certain playing style to ensure he could achieve his aims at both Burnley and the Toffees (something he has done effectively for which he deserves credit).
The ‘beast’ that Ruben Amorin has inherited, of course, is very different and a certain style and swagger are demanded in a way the current restrictions at Everton would struggle to implement.
That could change, of course, and the question then will be whether Dyche is the man to oversee such progress.
For now, though, it’s all about two differing approaches which could lead to a compelling chess-style encounter.
Talking Points
Certainly, I am not expecting a goal fest.
Everton’s followers were frustrated last Saturday as they were held at home by a Brentford side which played an hour with 10 men.
On saying that, Dyche could be quietly encouraged that his side created numerous opportunities.
The Toffees had 27 shots, which is by far the most a team has had in a game this season without scoring a goal.
They won’t get that many chances at Old Trafford but will need to be more clinical if they are to end a miserable recent record against the Red Devils.
For me, Goodison Park can be the Toffees’ foundation so surely they would consider it a bonus if they were return home with anything from this trip.
Not that United, for all their talent, have been prolific either.
In fact, they have only 13 league goals and 32 from 19 games in all competitions this term –one of those games was a 7-0 romp at home to League One Barnsley.
Writing before United’s Europa League encounter on Thursday night, it is hard to know exactly how the hosts will line-up as they complete the end of their first full week with the man who has succeeded Erik ten Hag.
And in the week that United raised the cost of tickets for members to £66 and removed concession prices for the rest of this season – their prices still fall way below many of the top flight’s big boys – fans of both teams are to stage a protest against ticket prices ahead of this clash.
Just as sure as the protest is that the Premier League highlights that duly follow will probably reflect the way the two sides are set up by the men at the helm.
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 95 triumphs to Everton’s 71 with a further 47 games ending level.
When they met at Goodison Park in the Premier League a year ago, the game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggested but that was almost forgotten as we witnessed what was voted the goal of the season.
Alejandro Garnacho’s overhead kick set United on their way to a 3-0 success, complemented in the second half by a Marcus Rashford penalty and what proved to be Anthony Martial’s final goal in a Manchester United shirt.
The return at Old Trafford in March saw United emerge triumphant via two first half penalties, both won by Garnacho, and converted by captain Bruno Fernandes and Rashford respectively.
Everton have only actually beaten United once in their last 12 meetings in all competitions.
That was at Goodison in April 2022 when Anthony Gordon’s goal separated the sides and ultimately proved crucial in the Toffees’ bid to beat the drop.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds as are one-sided in United’s favour as the recent record in this fixture.
1X2 odds price the hosts @ 1.46 compared to Everton @ 5.80 with the draw @ 4.08.
Asian Handicap fancies a home win -1.25 @ 2.16 with the Toffees out at +0.75 @ 2.38.
A re-run of last season’s corresponding fixture is on offer @ 7.00 with Correct Score 2-0.
You have to go back to the 2009 FA Cup semi-final (a match Everton won on penalties) to the last time these sides played out a goalless draw and a further five years before that to when there was stalemate in a league encounter – a day later United signed teenager wonderkid Wayne Rooney from the blue half of Merseyside.
I am not anticipating a goalless draw but I do think goals will be in fairly short supply and my *** tip is total goal 2-3 @ 1.96.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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