Everton vs Manchester United: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups – February 23, 2026
One of the headline fixtures of the 27th round of the English Premier League will take place on Monday in Liverpool at Goodison Park, where Everton host Manchester United. David Moyes' side have cemented their place in the top ten and continue to dream of European football, while Michael Carrick's team have surprisingly thrown themselves into the Champions League race. Here’s a look at a bet on the outcome of this clash with promising odds.
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Match preview
Under Moyes, Everton have become much more organized, but the Toffees’ newfound stability has a flip side – they rarely collapse, but they also don’t win as often as they’d like. Their unbeaten run ended last round against Bournemouth (1-2), as the Merseysiders lost control in the second half. Three wins in their last 11 matches is the mark of a solid mid-table team, but not one ready to surge up the table.
Still, defense remains the hosts’ main trump card: Everton are among the league’s top five for fewest goals conceded. Even without the injured Grealish, the team maintains its structure, and James Garner is arguably enjoying the best spell of his career, dictating the tempo in midfield. In attack, much depends on flashes from Ndiaye, Barry, and Beto, but there’s still a lack of consistent sharpness up front.
Manchester United under Carrick have produced their best run in a long time – 13 points from five games have thrust them back into the race for the top four. Even a draw in the last round doesn’t dampen the impression left by their winning streak, and Chelsea’s stumble has only fueled their ambitions. A key factor: the absence of European competition. The Red Devils are working on a weekly cycle and look fresher than their direct rivals.
Defensive problems due to injuries to De Ligt and Dorgu haven’t disappeared, but the attacking line is more than capable of compensating for those risks. The Fernandes-Kunha partnership and the versatility brought by Sesko off the bench have already paid dividends. Notably, United regularly score at least twice in Liverpool – there’s no psychological barrier for the visitors heading into this trip.
Probable line-ups
- Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Gueye, Garner, George, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Barry
- Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Kunha
Match facts and head-to-head
- Manchester United have scored at least twice against Everton in six of their last nine meetings in Liverpool.
- In five of their last seven head-to-heads, both teams did not score.
- Everton rank among the Premier League’s top five sides for fewest goals conceded this season.
Prediction
Everton traditionally look to slow the game down and prevent their opponents from gaining momentum, but this United side looks more flexible and inventive going forward. Carrick’s team have found their rhythm and know how to grind through tough matches, which is especially crucial at Goodison Park. Taking into account the visitors’ form and their head-to-head stats, I’m backing a Manchester United win in this encounter.
