For BBC Sport, Chris Sutton picks the winner of the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United.
Chris Sutton believes that even though Everton will present a difficult challenge for Manchester United in their forthcoming Premier League match on Saturday at Old Trafford, Manchester United will ultimately prevail. (8 April).
Last time out at Goodison Park, Sean Dyche's team performed at the top of their game to earn a late draw against Spurs. Michael Keane's 25-yard screamer kept the Toffees out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Sutton acknowledged that Everton's danger from set-pieces could cause issues for the Red Devils in his most recent Premier League predictions column for BBC Sport, but predicted that they would prevail 2-1 in the match.
“Manchester United are anything but free-flowing at the moment but they still found a way of beating Brentford on Wednesday,” he wrote.
“United are in a decent position to make the top four with Tottenham hitting the buffers a bit, but it is important they keep pushing on, especially at home.
“Everton will not make it easy for them and, since Dyche took charge at the end of January, they carry more of a threat now, especially from set-plays – but I still see United edging this.”
Another example of the progress the first team has made under Dyche's direction is Everton's draw against Spurs. However, there is still room for improvement.
From the first whistle, the Toffees pressed and pressured Tottenham, with players like Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye being simply outstanding in the middle of the pitch.
A centre-forward was conspicuously missing anytime they recovered possession of the ball and started an attack, which prevented the fluid front three from quite clicking.
Due to Abdoulaye Doucoure's absence from the match against Manchester United, Dyche may want to play Ellis Simms as the center forward instead of Alex Iwobi in the midfield three. A target man and a point of concentration could benefit the squad and increase the threat from set pieces.
Manchester United got back to winning ways after being unable to record any wins in the last three Premier League games prior to meeting Brentford on Wednesday night. Their chances of securing a top-four finish were ultimately under threat, but a dominating performance against Frank Thomas's team shot them back into the top four.
Recording their 23 unbeaten fixtures in front of the Old Trafford crowd, Manchester United beat Brentford 1-0, neutralizing the threat of Ivan Toney, though he did dominate and dictate the game. They enjoyed a 65% ball possession rate while attempting a total of 616 passes and completing 528 of them.
Erik Ten Hag's side started off with full attacking instincts, as evidenced by the 12 corner kicks recorded compared to Brentford's 3. They made 35 touches in the visitors' box and made 18 attempts, with 3 on target. while they created 14 chances. They will be looking to build on that, but they will be tougher against a relegation-threatened Everton.
As for Sean Dyche and his team, the journey to Old Trafford is essentially a free shot, and they may use their underdog position to their advantage.
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