Chris Sutton predicts winner of Everton clash v Manchester United in Premier League for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has predicted that Everton will pose a tough test for Manchester United but will ultimately lose their upcoming Premier League encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday (8 April).
Sean Dyche’s side were once again at their battling best to nick a late draw against Spurs at Goodison Park last time out, with Michael Keane’s 25-yard screamer in the dying moments of the match keeping the Toffees out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Writing in his latest Premier League predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton admitted that Everton’s threat from set-pieces could pose problems for the Red Devils, but that they would be edged out 2-1 in the Premier League clash.
“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.”
Tough
Everton’s draw against Spurs was yet more evidence of the steps that the first-team has taken under Dyche’s guidance, but where they can still improve.
The Toffees were pressing and harrying Tottenham into mistakes from the very first whistle, with the likes of Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye quite simply superb in the middle of the park.
However, whenever they won the ball back and launched an attack, there was the glaring absence of a centre-forward, with the fluid front three not quite working out.
With Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended for the clash against Manchester United, Dyche should consider dropping Alex Iwobi into the midfield three and playing Ellis Simms as the centre-forward.
Having a target man and a point of focus could reap its rewards for the team and add a further threat from set pieces.
The trip to Old Trafford is somewhat of a free hit for Dyche and his men, and they can take advantage of their underdog status to spring a surprise.