English Premier
2026-02-23 - Everton vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Monday 23rd February 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Everton
Silverware will be missing for another season, but that does not mean Everton have little to play for through the remainder of the top flight campaign. They may have struggled for some consistency, but Everton are still in a position to finish above rivals Liverpool, while also pushing for a return to European Football, which would give the club are financial boost in their new Stadium.
The Toffees were beaten at home in the last Premier League game played, but remain 8th in the standings and they are 5 points behind Liverpool in the top six. The table could look significantly different by the time the final Premier League game of the weekend comes around and the only focus for Everton is improving what has been a disappointing 4-4-5 record at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton had been unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions, although one of those games had ended in the Penalty Shoot Out loss to Sunderland in the FA Cup Third Round, but that run was ended by Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago. The side had led 1-0 at home in that fixture, but Bournemouth rallied for a 1-2 win and Everton have not won any of the last 6 at home in all competitions. Everton head into this big fixture having lost 3 of the last 5 Premier League games played here.
Jake O'Brien was sent off in the defeat to Bournemouth and will serve a suspension, while Jack Grealish is a long-term absentee.
Manchester United
Just when it looked like Michael Carrick's unbeaten start to life as interim manager of Manchester United was coming to an end, Benjamin Sesko popped up to rescue a point. However, fans may feel it was two points dropped against a relegation threatened West Ham United and Liverpool took full advantage to close on their old rivals in the race for Champions League Football.
The side will go into the weekend in 4th place in the Premier League table, but Manchester United could be passed by both Chelsea and Liverpool before this Monday night kick off on Merseyside. They have a 4-6-3 away record in the Premier League and Manchester United have scored and conceded 22 goals in those matches.
Manchester United's FA Cup Third Round exit means they have had almost two weeks to prepare for this fixture having seen the 4 game winning run ended in the 1-1 draw at West Ham United. However, the 13 points earned from 15 available in the Division has pushed Manchester United firmly into the Champions League race, even if they have now won 1 of the last 5 away Premier League games played.
Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount are both hoping to travel with the squad, but Patrick Dorgu remains sidelined and pushing to return before the March international break.
Head to Head
They were reduced to ten men very early on after two team-mates decided to have an argument on the pitch, but that did not stop Everton winning 0-1 at Old Trafford in November.
Everton had lost 4 of 5 games at Goodison Park against Manchester United, including 2 in a row, but they were leading 2-0 in the last game against this opponent on that ground in February 2025.
However, two late goals allowed Manchester United to fightback and earn a 2-2 draw.
Prediction
Both of these teams have had ample time to prepare for this fixture and this is an important three points to play for as Everton and Manchester United push for European returns.
A strong run under Michael Carrick has moved Manchester United into the top four and the target has to be a return to the Champions League. They did drop two points most recently at West Ham United, but that was about as poor as Manchester United have played since Ruben Amorim departed and the team should be fresh and ready to compete on Monday.
They will certainly arrive at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time with some confidence still intact after another late goal salvaged a draw. The caretaker manager may look to make some changes having seen Manchester United struggle in the final third until Benjamin Sesko came on to lead the line, but there is a depth available to Michael Carrick that will offer encouragement.
David Moyes knows all about the pressure of managing Manchester United having previously left Everton for the top job at Old Trafford.
It never really worked, but Moyes has rebuilt his reputation at West Ham United and is back at Everton looking to push the team forward into European competition.
Everton have been a hard team to read in recent weeks- they can produce some real quality outings, but have a tendency to throw in some underwhelming performances.
Under the lights you do have to expect the best from Everton, but this is a team that can just lose some intensity when they fall behind. Playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium has also created some anxiety of late with supporters and players getting used to the surroundings and Everton have taken some heavy defeats here.
Bournemouth fought back to win 1-2 here, but the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Brentford have produced rampant attacking performances to earn comfortable victories in this part of Merseyside. All four of those teams mentioned have scored at least twice in winning efforts and a rested Manchester United have plenty of threats in the final third who can give the away team the edge.
Odds on quotes for a Manchester United win are not exactly appealing when you think they have won 1 of the last 5 away Premier League games, despite facing three teams who are 15th or lower in the Division.
However, they have tended to enjoy recent visits to Everton and the players may be able to create the better opportunities in the final third, which can lead to an important three points. It is a fixture in which the maximum points will only likely be earned if scoring at least twice and that is where Manchester United may have a slight edge, even under the pressure that is likely going to have been created by Champions League rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool earlier in the weekend.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
