Manchester United v. Everton - Match Preview

United currently sit happy at the top of the Premiership, but could face a tricky task to stay their as David Moyes' unpredictable Everton side visit the Theatre of Dreams with nothing short of three points securing United's place at the top of the Christmas tree. In the other games at the top, Arsenal entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea visit the Valley to take on the seasons surprise package, Charlton Athletic. Both of the games involving the London outfits are early kick-offs, meaning United could kick-off against Everton as low as third in the table.

Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to keep faith in Rio Ferdinand at the back, who put in an impressive performance at White Hart Lane last Sunday despite the obvious disturbance of his 8-month ban looming large. The Scottish boss is set to name a side similar to the one that beat Spurs, but skipper Roy Keane is definitely out through a hamstring injury meaning the door is open for Nicky Butt to start the game. Cristiano Ronaldo may also be elected to start ahead of Darren Fletcher.

As for the visitors, Everton will be without defender Alessandro Pistone due to a shoulder injury, with Tony Hibbert expected to take his place. Joseph Yobo and David Weir are both also unavailable through injuries, meaning David Moyes will be some way off fielding his strongest side on Friday. Moyes is yet to announce whether or not teenage sensation Wayne Rooney will start the game following his goal against Portsmouth last weekend, or if he will remain on the substitutes bench.

In this fixture last season, Everton really scared United with an excellent defensive display looking set to secure the Toffees a deserved point. However, United struck three goals in the last five minutes, giving the scoreline a far more comfortable edge than the reality of the game.

The game at Goodison Park last season was United's end-of-season party, following the Championship being secured the previous weekend after Leeds United beat Arsenal at Highbury. David Beckham scored a trademark free-kick in his last ever game for the club, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy was also on the scoresheet in a game that ended Everton's chances of European qualification.

If you fancy a flutter on the game with what's left in your accounts after Christmas, then you'll have to fork out a fair bit of cash to win anything on United, with the Red Devils made a measly 1/4 for the game. Everton are a massive 9/1, with the draw a tempting 9/2.

Enjoy the game, and Merry Christmas to you all once again!

ManUtdWeb Prediction - Manchester United 2-0 Everton
It's always hard to predict what your going to get from Everton, who go into the game looking for their third consecutive Premiership win for the first time in 12 months. However, I feel with the way we're playing at the moment, three festive points are on the cards for United.

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