English Premier
2012-08-20 - Everton vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 20 August 2012 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Everton
Everton could be one of the teams capable of taking one of the European places in the Premier League this season and they still have David Moyes in charge of the club which will give them an opportunity to finish above Liverpool for the second season in a row. Moyes is also desperate to add some silverware to his time here at Goodison Park and that is definitely something they are capable of with the right draw.
Last season they did finish above their cross town rivals, ending the season in 7th place in the Premier League. However, they were 9 points behind the European places and that is a quite a number of points to make up so the Toffees will want to make a better start to the new season than they have in recent seasons.
They finished 10-3-6 here at Goodison Park, scoring 28 goals and conceding 15. David Moyes has since sold Jack Rodwell to Manchester City and could be looking to bring in a couple of new faces to freshen up the squad, the first of those being Kevin Mirallas from Olympiakos.
Marouane Fellaini and Darron Gibson are are both doubtful to make it in time for this game.
Manchester United
Manchester United were Champions for around 90 seconds last season as it looked like their close rivals Manchester City had blown it on the last day of the season, but it was not to be as goal difference made the difference. Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that that will not happen to his side again and so he has gone out and purchased attacking talent in the Summer.
The biggest acquisition is clearly Robin Van Persie, the top scorer in the Premier League last season and the Player of the Season, from Arsenal and he could form a formidable partnership with Wayne Rooney. Shinji Kagawa is another good signing after a successful time at Borussia Dortmund and United will look to outscore teams with all the attacking options they have.
United won the most points away from home in the Premier League last season, a season removed from winning just 5 of their 19 away games. Last season they finished with a 13-3-3 away record, scoring 37 goals and only conceding 14 which was the best away defence in the League too.
Robin Van Persie could make his debut here, although I wouldn't be surprised if he starts on the bench having had little pre-season action. Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are all missing, while Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs are doubts.
Head to Head
Last season we saw Everton come back from 4-2 down at Old Trafford to draw 4-4 with a couple of goals in the last 7 minutes and that result effectively cost Manchester United the Premier League title.
That is actually the second time in consecutive seasons that Everton have fought back against United having drawn 3-3 at Goodison Park the season before last thanks to 2 goals in the final 3 minutes.
United won here 0-1 last season, but they had failed to win on their previous 3 visits. Before that run, United had won 7 of their previous 8 League visits to this ground.
Prediction
This is a really tough opening game for Manchester United, especially as it has been placed on a Monday night when the Goodison Park crowd will be that more 'up for it', making it a tough atmosphere for United to perform in.
Goodison Park used to be a good place for United to visit, but recent seasons have shown getting a result being that much more difficult.
However, this is probably the best time of the season to play Everton away from home as they have struggled to get off to a good start in recent seasons. In fact, they have lost 3 of their last 4 opening games at Goodison Park, including a 2-3 loss to Blackburn Rovers, a 1-6 loss to Arsenal and a 0-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers last season.
I expect Sir Alex Ferguson to play an attacking team similar to the one he started last season and I don't think he will start either Robin Van Persie or Shinji Kagawa considering the rabid atmosphere this ground can provide.
United did have the best away defence in the League, but Everton are going to be pushing forward for goals in this one as they look to make a fast start to the season for once and I do think the home side are going to get on the scoreboard.
Fixtures between the teams have yielded goals in the past, and I think this will be an attacking game as both sides want to put markers down for the season. I think both will score, but I also feel there will be a winner and the evens on the Overs looks a decent shout.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
