Game Week 13 Predictions: Straight draw at Goodison Park?

Everton vs Manchester United Preview: Impact of Everton's FA Penalty, Team News, and Prediction

Manchester United's season could hit a new low if they fail to take maximum points from their trip to Goodison Park on Sunday. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Everton vs Manchester United

Goodison Park

5:30pm

It’s Everton’s first game since the shocking news of their big FA penalty—ten whole points taken off them for alleged financial crimes—and the atmosphere will have something to say about that on Sunday.

The implication of that is Everton deep in the relegation waters, second from bottom on goal difference and, while it’s still within their means to survive, their job has been made increasingly harder considering the Saturday results.

Manchester United is in the middle of nowhere at the moment; they have two wins in their last five, both 1-0 wins, but their biggest worry must be in the Champions League, where only a win in midweek can keep their faint hopes alive.

Erik Ten Hag’s men have it all to do as they currently lie at the bottom of their Champions League group with only two wins from their remaining two games will give them any chance of even finishing third, which takes them to the Europa League.

Arsenal beat Brentford away from home on Saturday to move to the top of the table, which means Manchester United are now nine points off the top of the table. Only a win at troubled Everton will give them real hopes.

Everton has one of the best forms in the league. There has been no defeat in their last four, but they have done better away from home than right in front of their own fans. The emotional atmosphere is expected to encourage the home team, but United can profit from it as well.

Dominic Calvert Lewin is going to be a nuisance for the hosts; Abdoulaye Doucoure will play off him, and they will both be physical. Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil will offer width options, and they will load crosses into the box for the front men to attack. United must be wary of those.

Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen have joined the injury list at Old Trafford, but Andre Onana is available for selection. Bruno Fernandes must stand up to be counted one more time, but at what point does Marcus Rashford get to contribute to the team’s goals?

Anthony Martial will lead the line in the absence of the Dane, and Alejandro Garnacho is an option on the wings. This is a game of huge significance for the visitors; they can’t afford to drop points again as they hope to build momentum ahead of the midweek game.

Verdict: Full-time draw