Manchester United vs. Everton – EPL, February 6, 2021

Everton can lose 8-0 and still, do better than the last team who faced Manchester United at Old Trafford. But Carlo Ancelotti will have his side ready and primed to take on the latest goal kings of the EPL.

His side seems to have turned a corner after the sticky patch that followed a very impressive start to the season. But more consistency is needed if it is going to be a successful campaign.

I completely understand why BetOnline has Manchester United as such big favorites to win this one after the way it dismantled Southampton in the week. But this is a good Everton side, and the size of the odds for a draw, or even the away win, will definitely interest a few people.

How do you follow a win like that? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be trying to tell his players to treat every game as it comes and to forget the thrashing it handed out to Southampton on Tuesday. United was rampant against a depleted and reduced opponent and needs to concentrate on the next one now.

But the Old Trafford club did show an enviable ruthless streak in that game – and that will be needed for the rest of the season if it is to overtake the team from the other side of the city. Everton will undoubtedly put up more of a fight on Saturday, but United has to make sure that it takes its chances just as well.

There was a huge win for Everton in the week as well – in regards to the season, if not the same amount of goals as United managed. Beating Leeds at Elland Road proved to its detractors that Everton could compete and challenge this season, especially after the disappointing performance against Newcastle at the weekend.

After such a good performance against Leeds, Carlo Ancelotti now has to make a tough decision on whether to keep Robin Olsen in goal. He deputized for the injured Jordan Pickford on Wednesday, but the England keeper may be available again for this one. Olsen was excellent in the week and probably deserves another chance.

The doom-mongers among the United fan base will now be expecting to lose to Everton after such a huge win in midweek. But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has played well this season and sits second in the table behind Manchester City. Everton will give this a really good go – and it could be the game of the weekend – but United should just about shade it.