Everton meet Manchester United on New Years’ Day in a Premier League clash at Goodison Park.
The Red Devils raised title hopes with a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture back in September, leaving the Toffees briefly flirting with the drop, but expectations have since changed for both clubs.
Manchester City’s dominance means United are now effectively competing for the runner-up spot, while Everton’s resurgence under Sam Allardyce sees them looking to secure a top half berth.
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Match odds
The Merseyside club are 4/1 (5.0) to secure a third home victory of Allardyce's reign and a fourth win over Manchester United on their own soil in six seasons.
Five of the last six fixtures that have involved either of these sides have ended in a draw and a repeat is 5/2 (3.50), with the hosts having held Chelsea and Liverpool recently.
A sixth away win of the season for Mourinho’s men is 3/4 (1.75) and we're backing them to secure the three points in spite of their recent blip.
United to bounce back at Goodison Park
The visitors underperformed in their 0-0 draw with Southampton on Saturday but United were the dominant team in the preceding two 2-2 ties, with a combined 43 shots and 12 on target against Leicester and Burnley.
Their hosts, who had 12 shots and three on target in total in 0-0 draws with Chelsea and West Brom before losing 2-1 at Bournemouth, had largely profligate opposition finishing to thank for the two points.
Given these problems, Everton might struggle to get on the scoresheet and a Manchester United win to nil is 6/4 (2.50), while the visitors can be found at 17/10 (2.70) to lead at half-time and go on to triumph.
Issues up front for Mourinho
In the absence of the injured Romelu Lukaku and with Zlatan Ibrahimvoic sidelined for at least four weeks, Jesse Lingard, who finished 2017 with six goals in eight, is 5/2 (3.50) to start 2018 with a bang. Marcus Rashford is 9/2 (5.50) to open the scoring on Merseyside while Anthony Martial is available at 5/1 (6.0) in the same market with dabblebet.
Oumar Niasse averages 0.9 goals per 90 minutes, the division's sixth-best record and is 8/1 (9.0) to score last. Wayne Rooney made the switch from Old Trafford to Goodison Park in the summer and is 12/5 (3.40) to strike against his former side after coming on as a second half substitute in the defeat to Bournemouth.
Tips and predictions
Our best bet is the 5/4 (2.25) on an away win with Over 1.5 goals because, while the gap between the two sides might not be as big as it was in September, there is reason to think Manchester United will halt their bad run. The visitors might be missing their main men up front but have the squad depth to overcome those absences against an Everton side that haven't had much joy in the final third of late.
Manchester United to win with Over 1.5 goals 5/4 (2.25) with dabblebet
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