English Premier
2012-04-22 - Manchester United vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 22 April 2012 - Kick Off 12:30pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
The 1-0 loss at the DW Stadium has put a different kind of pressure on Manchester United as they are no longer the hunter, but the hunted. Manchester City's last two wins have come in the domineering fashion they began the season and so United know they cannot afford any slip ups in this last game ahead of the Manchester Derby.
United are still on top of the table, but are now only 5 points clear of Manchester City, although the games are beginning to tick down. In fact, a win here and against City next week would secure the title for the Red Devils. The team have a 14-1-2 record at Old Trafford this season, scoring 46 goals and only conceding 15.
They had seen their lead cut to two points last weekend by City, but a 4-0 home win over Aston Villa opened up the gap again. United have won their last 7 League games at Old Trafford, conceding just 1 goal in that time, although they have suffered 2 defeats in the Europa League here during that run.
There are no new injury worries for Sir Alex Ferguson, although Anderson and Paul Pogba have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Michael Owen is training but is not expected back before next week, while Nani will be pushing for a start having scored last week.
Everton
A lot of people are thinking that Everton will be so demoralised after their FA Cup exit in the Semi Final to Liverpool that they won't really turn up for their final 4 League games this season. However, David Moyes will be reminding his team they still have a great opportunity to finish the season above rivals Liverpool and that has to be plenty of motivation for them.
Everton are 7th in the Premier League table and they are currently 1 point and 1 place above Liverpool in that position. They bring a 5-5-6 away record to Old Trafford, scoring 17 goals and only conceding 20 in those games.
The team had been unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions before the defeat to Liverpool last week and they had actually won 4 of those 5 games. Everton have picked up 10 points from their last 12 available in the League and they have only conceded 2 goals in their last 4 games. They have lost just 1 of their last 7 away games in all competitions and they have won 2 of their last 3 away games while scoring 2 goals in each.
Leighton Baines will be a big miss for Everton, especially as he would have been marking the in-form Antonio Valencia. Steven Pienaar is available having been cup-tied last week, while Jack Rodwell is injured. Royston Drenthe will be absent for disciplinary reasons.
Head to Head
Manchester United won 0-1 at Goodison Park earlier this season thanks to a Javier Hernandez goal within the first ten minutes.
United have won their last 5 home games in the Premier League against Everton, including a 1-0 win last year thanks to another Hernandez goal, this one in the last 10 minutes.
Prediction
Manchester United are remarkably short considering the tough games Everton routinely provide them with, be it at Goodison Park or Old Trafford.
The away side are perhaps a little disappointed with the manner of their defeat to Liverpool, but David Moyes will not let them keep their heads down and the players themselves should be fired up in playing at this stadium.
I don't want to back United at the prices, while I think the handicap looks a little high, especially now that Everton have a real goal threat in the form of Nikica Jelavic up front.
Instead, I am going to back United to win this game by exactly one goal which has been priced at 4.00 at Ladbrokes. It is telling that it was a single goal that separated the sides earlier this season, while United have won 3 of their last 4 at Old Trafford against Everton by a single goal.
When you consider how tight and nervy the atmosphere could be, plus the fact that it is an early start to the football on Sunday, and I can see this being tense and United doing just enough to push themselves 8 points clear of City with their rivals playing at Wolves later in the day.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 1-0 Everton
