English Premier
2010-02-20 - Everton vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Everton
Everton looked like they were going to come into this game on a complete high after a home win over Chelsea and a 2-0 lead over Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League. However, the last 5 minutes of that game saw Sylvin Distin sent off and Everton concede a goal that will make their trip to Lisbon a difficult one.
The Toffees have really picked up their League form in recent weeks after it seemed like a small possibility that they would be stuck in a relegation battle with a huge number of injuries affecting the team and leaving David Moyes with a battle to play the same team on a consistent basis. They have moved up to 9th in the Premier League and now look an outside bet to make a European place. Everton are 6-5-2 at home where they have scored 20 goals and conceded 16, but take away their opening 1-6 home defeat to Arsenal and we can see they are tough to breach at Goodison Park.
Everton have been in good form of late, only losing 1 of their last 11 Premier League games and that was in the Merseyside Derby at Liverpool. They are unbeaten in 6 home games in the League and have won 4 in a row there, only conceding 1 goal in that time. The Blues have only lost 1 of their last 8 home games in all competitions.
Tim Cahill is the big fitness doubt for David Moyes after he was brought off against Sporting on Tuesday night. Marouane Fallaini is out for the season and Phillip Sendoros is a doubt.
Manchester United
Old Trafford is a testimony to the club that Manchester United have built and celebrates its 100 year birthday this week. United have been putting in some sterling performances recently, but on Tuesday it was a sterling result when performing a little under those standards when achieving a 2-3 win in Milan. They will now be able to concentrate on Premier League matters and add to the pressure that is building on Chelsea as their lead is withered down to 1 point.
United sit 2nd in the Premier League, 1 point behind Chelsea and 5 clear of Arsenal in 3rd place. They are 7-2-4 away from home and have scored 26 goals while conceding 13 in those games. They have the 2nd best away defensive record behind Aston Villa but have won the most away games in the Premier League so far this season.
The Red Devils have now won 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions and have picked up some impressive scalps in those games with wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and AC Milan. However, their away record has not been that great over the last couple of months where they are 3-2-2 in all competitions. A key thing to notice from United's away games is the fact that they have not kept a clean sheet in 8 away games in all competitions and 6 of their last 8 games have ended up with 3 or more goals.
Rio Ferdinand and Nani are both missing through suspension but Nemanja Vidic may make his long awaited 2010 entrance here. If not, Jonny Evans will be partnered by Wes Brown. Antonio Valencia should start and United are likely to stick with their 4-5-1 system of recent weeks meaning Wayne Rooney will again be up front on his own.
Head to Head
United have a strong record against Everton in recent seasons with only 1 loss from their last 29 Premier League meetings. They are also unbeaten in their last 9 meetings in the League.
Goodison Park has been a welcoming destination for United more often than not with only 1 defeat there in their last 14 matches there. They have won 7 of their last 9 trips in the short trip to Liverpool.
The corresponding fixture was 1-1 last season.
Prediction
David Moyes is once again performing miracles for his Everton side on a tight budget and has again proven what a top manager he really is. They have been hit with a couple of injuries for this match, but should also been full of confidence after recent strong showings in the League. They have proven hard to beat at Goodison Park with only Arsenal and Liverpool winning here in the League while Manchester City and Chelsea have both left with nothing.
Manchester United are beginning to fire in recent weeks and have a real goal threat in Wayne Rooney who is in immense form of late. Sir Alex Ferguson has also found a system that seems to get the best out of his team although this will be a tough test for his side after returning from Italy.
I think it is still a good idea to ride the momentum United have picked u. Defensively they have had issues in recent away matches, with silly mistakes leading to punishment, but have looked a real threat going in the opposite direction. I think United will come through a tough test and take over at the summit for at least a couple of hours on Saturday.
The Pick :
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
