Manchester United did little to ease the pain of their heavy derby defeat when they delivered a clumsy display against minnows Omonia Nicosia on Thursday and an even tougher task awaits the Red Devils at Goodison Park today. Everton are unbeaten in six and the in-form Toffees will be eager to prey on United’s fragile confidence.
Below, you can find our stats pack for today’s match on Merseyside which contains info on goals, corners, cards, fouls, xG and more. Hopefully, our stats will help to give you an edge over the bookmakers in the bet builder markets and my Stats Pack Guide proves effective.
Predicted Lineups
Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey and Nathan Patterson are all out injured for Everton so Conor Coady and James Tarkowski are expected to be paired at centre-half again.
Frank Lampard has been getting decent results with a 4-3-3 formation and a similar set-up is expected against United today.
Harry Maguire is still sidelined for United as is Donny van de Beek. Raphael Varane is in a race to be fit and if the Frenchman doesn’t make it, Victor Lindelof will partner Lisandro Martinez in defence.
Anthony Martial scored off the bench again on Thursday and he or Rashford could replace Cristiano Ronaldo in United’s XI at Goodison Park.
Team Stats
Everton have struggled in the goal-scoring department this season (0.88 goals p/90), though they have the Premier League’s best defensive record, conceding just seven times in eight matches so far.
The Toffees’ xG against (1.99 p/90) is high in comparison however, and keeper Jordan Pickford has had to be at his acrobatic best on more than one occasion this term.
Man Utd have a negative goal difference (-3) this season, with the 10 goals they conceded in two defeats to Brentford and Man City contributing to their poor balance.
United have been posting a modest 1.39 xG per 90 minutes, while they’ve been picking up a sizeable number of cards during a frustrating start to the campaign (3.29 p/90).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Demarai Gray, Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil performed well as a front three at West Ham last weekend, though Anthony Gordon, who has registered an impressive 1.88 shots on target per 90, could be drafted back in today.
United often struggle to defend set plays, so aerial threats James Tarkowski (0.62 shots p/90) and Conor Coady (0.29) might be worth keeping an eye on in the markets.
Summer signing Antony was been feeling his way into the Premier League nicely, though his numbers will hold more weight when he racks up more minutes.
Christian Eriksen has been hitting 1.89 shots per 90 since his switch from Brentford, while Marcus Rashford has been averaging 2.1 attempts per Premier League appearance. Rashford didn’t manage to muster a single attempt in last weekend’s Manchester Derby, however.
Player Goals and Assists
Anthony Gordon remains Everton’s top scorer with two goals, though he hasn’t registered since finding the net against Leeds at the end of August.
Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil both opened their accounts for the campaign against Southampton last weekend. Alex Iwobi has been a powerful creative force from midfield (three assists). He set up McNeil’s winner against the Saints last week.
Marcus Rashford scored twice off the bench in Cyprus on Thursday and the academy graduate has five goal contributions (3G, 2A) to his name in the Premier League.
Antony has managed to match Jadon Sancho’s haul for the campaign already, despite playing five matches fewer. Anthony Martial hit two late consolations in last weekend’s derby loss to City.
Everton Cards
Livewire attacker Anthony Gordon leaves everything on the pitch when he plays for Everton, though his desperation to win can sometimes lead to mistimed challenges. Gordon has already been booked four times this season.
Amadou Onana (2.12 fouls per 90) has added physicality to Everton’s midfield since his summer move, though he has been carded twice for his combative play. Conor Coady doesn’t sneak onto the list, though he has been booked once this season and he can be exposed by players with pace.
Anthony Martial (fouled 3.33 times p/90) has the skillset to really trouble Everton’s centre halves if gets the nod to start up front on Sunday. His speed and close control could put Conor Coady on edge.
Bruno Fernandes (fouled 1.42 times p/90) is still United’s prime creator and he is almost certain to have Amadou Onana standing on his toes today.
Tyrell Malacia (fouled 1.00 p/90) is a bundle of energy at left back and his tussles with Anthony Gordon might have to be separated by referee David Coote at times when the winger swaps flanks.
Match-Ups to watch
Anthony Gordon vs Tyrell Malacia
Amadou Onana vs Bruno Fernandes
Conor Coady vs Anthony Martial
Manchester United Cards
Scott McTominay has been a reliable card-winning machine this season and if the Scottish international starts at Goodison Park, he should be good for a card. If Casemiro plays instead, then the Brazilian could be a strong candidate in the card market too.
Diogo Dalot (2.03 fouls p/90) is prone to moments of panic and he was booked for the fourth time this season after just two minutes in last weekend’s derby. Lisandro Martinez (2 cards) has a hot temper that could boil over in the Goodison Park atmosphere.
Idrissa Gueye (fouled 3.48 times p/90) has been a magnet for bad tackles since his return to Merseyside from PSG and his clashes with either McTominay or Casemiro today should be watched with interest.
Demarai Gray (fouled 1.28 times per 90) will fancy his chances of beating Diogo Dalot in one-on-one situations today and the Portuguese defender, who is generally a card waiting to happen, could be worth backing to pick up a caution again.
Neal Maupay (fouled 1.67 times p/90) knows how to rile defenders up and it won’t take much to tip Lisandro Martinez over the edge.
Match-Ups to watch
Diogo Dalot vs Demarai Gray
Scott McTominay/Casemiro vs Idrissa Gueye
Lisandro Martinez vs Neal Maupay
