Everton need Man Utd scalp to keep top-four hopes alive

Manchester United have won just one of their last 11 games against current Premier League top six opposition this season so far.

Top-four hopefuls Everton (10/3) entertain the Red Devils in the league and desperately need a victory from this fixture to keep their Champions League aspirations for next term alive.

With just four games left to go of the season, the Toffees are one point behind Arsenal – who are fourth – and will be ruing the lost opportunity to be ahead of them, after their 3-2 defeat at home to in-form Crystal Palace in their last match.

Roberto Martinez will not let that lack of concentration happen again and his side are favourites at 7/5 for victory this time. Everton have won two out their last three games with United.

Both those victories were 1-0 results, including the reverse fixture in December, and you can back Martinez’s men at 9/1 to exact that scoreline again.

The Red Devils currently lie in seventh place and nine points behind the Toffees, but with a game in hand. They are now virtually guaranteed to finish outside the top-four (25/1) for the first time in the Premier League era.

Despite a terrible season, that will see them win no silverware, United are on a run of three straight league victories, two of those being on the road. David Moyes’ side also boast the best away record in the league this season, and you can take odds of 2/1 for them to beat Everton. A draw is priced at 12/5.

There is welcome news for United, as forward Wayne Rooney is fit to play. The England star has 15 goals in the Premier League so far this season, with six in his last six, and can be backed at 6/5 to net anytime, or 5/1 to score two or more against his former club.

Moyes, meanwhile, has hinted he could field rising star striker James Wilson at some point in the game. The 18-year-old youth product has highly impressed in the club’s Under-21 side, and is an outside shot at 8/1 to score last.

For Everton, big Belgian Romelu Lukaku could be the key to unlocking Man Utd’s defence. The Chelsea loanee has netted three in his last four against the Red Devils, although they all came in one match, so back him at 7/4 to get a goal anytime, or 9/1 to bag a brace or more.