Manchester Utd v Everton Tip

There are a few things we know to be well-established trends that can give us some encouragement when making a scoreline prediction here. Firstly, and most obviously, Manchester United normally win. They have claimed victory 19 times in their last 21 league outings, including nine in a row at home. It’s no wonder they have taken a top flight club record 62 points from their opening 25 games.

Secondly, we know that although United generally win, they do so by a slender margin more often than not. In the past three weeks alone, the Red Devils have seen off Liverpool, West Ham, Southampton and Fulham all by a one-goal margin.

Similarly, this is a habit that Everton also enjoy. The last six top flight wins achieved by the Toffees have all come by a 2-1 scoreline. Furthermore, their last three defeats in all competitions have been 2-1 as well. At a best price of 9/1 with StanJames, I can’t help thinking history may be about to repeat itself again here.

Sir Alex Ferguson has seen his side slip up twice against Everton in the past 12 months. The 4-4 draw last April proved pivotal in the title race while there was a season-opening defeat at Goodison Park in August. Some pundits will recall this and anticipate more of the same; I’m more inclined to think that Ferguson simply won’t allow that.

This is United’s chance to show that there will be no repeat of last season’s spectacular late collapse. Everton normally score and normally concede and it will surely be close. Put it all together and the 2-1 home win must be more likely than odds of 9/1 suggest.