Everton v Manchester United betting preview

Goodison Park is our focus this weekend as high-flying Everton take on an improving Manchester United.

Everton under Roberto Martinez have had a fantastic season and are vying with Arsenal for the fourth Champions League spot. Manchester United have stumbled upon a bit of form recently and despite losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, they emerged with heads held high having given the German side a tough battle over two legs. Despite losing to Crystal Palace, Everton are slight favourites to win here at 11/8 with United available at 19/10. The draw is available at 12/5. With the injuries to Rooney and Van Persie, United have been forced to play both Kagawa and Mata in behind Hernandez and as they showed against Newcastle, they are a formidable trio when they click into gear. Everton ended their Old Trafford hoodoo with a 1-0 win earlier in the season and the same scoreline in favour of the Toffees is available at 9/1. If you fancy United to continue their good recent domestic form, the 1-0 win in their favour is there at the same price. We believe there will be goals in this one and the 2-2 draw at 12/1 looks like good value. For the sentimentalists out there, a repeat of the bizarre 4-4 draw from last season is on offer at 225/1. The ever popular first goalscorer market is a fascinating one. Lukaku is the chief goal threat for Everton and he will have happy memories of scoring a hat-trick for West Brom in the mental 5-5 draw with United on the last game of last season. He's 5/1 to be the first scorer followed by Hernandez and Welbeck at 6/1. Juan Mata (pic above) who has three goals in his last two games for United looks tempting at 8/1. However, the most tempting bet of all is the one for Seamus Coleman. The Everton full-back has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and he looks great value at 20/1. The half-time, full-time prediction market is hugely popular too and we think the half-time draw with a draw at full-time at 9/2 is the most appealing one here. However, if you fancy either side to lead at half-time with the match ending in a draw, you can get it for 14/1.