Manchester United face Everton in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off with Erik ten Hag in serious need of a good result to lift the mood around Old Trafford.

The Red Devils took the lead in last Sunday's Manchester derby - but ended up being dominated by Pep Guardiola's title-chasing Manchester City side who recovered to win 3-1 thanks an inspired Phil Foden.

That result left United in sixth place, 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, with fans and pundits starting to question whether Ten Hag is the right man to lead United back to the top of the English game.

Sean Dyche's Everton are fighting for their Premier League survival so will arrive at Old Trafford in defiant mood.

The Red Devils have dominated recent encounters with the Toffees, securing victories in four of their last five meetings, including last season where United achieved the double against Everton.

Both teams, coming off recent defeats, are eager to bounce back. However, the Toffees face a daunting challenge, having not won in their last 10 Premier League matches.

The significance of this fixture at Old Trafford cannot be overstated. The Reds boast an impeccable home record against Everton, having not suffered a loss in over a decade. The last defeat dates back to a 1-0 result in 2013 during David Moyes' tenure.

For Ten Hag, this is a must-win scenario, especially with the two teams directly above United, Aston Villa and Tottenham, facing-off against each other, which could see both teams dropping points.

A chance to close the gap with a victory against Everton could prove vital in United's pursuit of a coveted Champions League spot.

Expect a closely-contested match, with both managers feeling the heat.

Momentum and confidence are crucial for both teams, with Dyche's side seeking to distance themselves from the relegation zone and Ten Hag aiming to narrow the gap on Villa and Spurs.

United's recent goal-scoring form is notable, finding the net in 12 consecutive matches and scoring two or more goals in their last four meetings with the Toffees.

However, defensive concerns persist, with the Red Devils failing to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last 10 Premier League fixtures.

Therefore, we are predicting both teams to score & over 2.5 goals scored to land.

Suggested bets

Manchester United 2-1 Everton - correct score

Both teams to score

Over 2.5 goals