Premier League news: Everton vs Manchester Utd – Five key battles and score prediction

The early kick-off on Saturday sees two of England’s most successful clubs meet at Goodison Park for the 107th and final time as David Moyes’ rejuvenated Everton face off against Ruben Amorim’s struggling Manchester United.

Interestingly, a win for Everton would open up a four-point gap between the two sides.

This fixture has witnessed some memorable moments down the years, from Duncan Ferguson’s header in 2005 to Wayne Rooney kissing the United badge in front of his boyhood team and many more.

It is also the stadium where the Red Devils lifted the Premier League title back in the 2002-03 season.

Ahead of the match, Sports News Blitz writer Jon Shea takes a look at five key battles and offers a score prediction.

Beto vs Harry Maguire

The resurgence of Beto under Moyes has been astonishing and one of the stories of the Premier League in the last month.

The Guinea-Bissau international has scored in his last three Premier League matches, including last time out against Crystal Palace.

A striker who was left in the shadows under the previous regime is looking like a new player, and you rarely expect him to miss when he's one-on-one.

Due to injuries, Beto is the only fit striker available at the club, but if he keeps going like he is, there will be no complaints from Everton fans or Moyes.

Harry Maguire is the man who has to deal with Beto this weekend, and it may be a battle that suits the centre-back, with it expected to be a physical contest.

The United defence is struggling at the moment, their last clean sheet coming in the 4-0 win over Everton in December.

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui sit alongside him in a defence that lacks pace, and that could be an area for Moyes and Beto to exploit.

READ MORE: Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim admits ‘everything is going wrong’ as Red Devils slump to 15th

Jake O’Brien vs Alejandro Garnacho

Like Beto, Jake O’Brien has been a success under David Moyes – despite playing out of position – at right-back.

The Irishman has started the last six matches in all competitions and has been a key component in Everton’s defensive confidence.

He is not your typical right-back at 6ft 6 tall, but he has fitted well into that position, showing his defensive qualities while also being tidy on the ball.

Wingers like Kaoru Mitoma and Cody Gakpo have had little joy out of O’Brien in recent weeks, and Alejandro Garnacho will be the next to try to exploit that side.

Garnacho lit up this fixture last season with that Puskas-winning overhead kick, but he is no longer hitting the heights that he once was.

The Argentinian has only scored one goal under Amorim since the Portuguese was appointed in November, that effort coming against Bodo/Glimt in December.

Garnacho has missed 12 big chances this season and has had the most shots without scoring in the league (24).

His last goal was against Leicester City in November – a game managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He may consider himself lucky to be at the club post-January as there were rumours of his future being elsewhere. However, unlike Marcus Rashford, Amorim has put his faith in Garnacho.

Amorim, it must be said, is struggling to work out why United are struggling so much in front of goal.

In United’s defeat against Tottenham last weekend, they created more than enough to get a result but just could not find the back of the net.

Garnacho needs to start putting his chances away and sooner rather than later will do for Amorim.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Liverpool analysis: Fans need to chill; Darwin Nunez debate; Reds to regroup vs Man City

James Tarkowski vs Rasmus Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund is yet to hit the heights at Manchester United, and this season the Dane has scored just two goals in the league.

Like Garnacho, he has left Amorim and United fans frustrated with his poor finishing of late.

Hojlund has not scored a league goal since the 3-2 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in early December.

He is just 22 years old but, for the fee that United paid for him, there is much expectation on his shoulders.

While showing signs of promise in the past, the Dane has definitely hit a rut of late, like the rest of the team.

In contrast, the previous match at home will live long in the memory of James Tarkowski, with his last-minute volley against Liverpool probably still being rewatched by the Goodison faithful.

Attention has turned to this weekend, though, and he will fancy himself against the United attack.

He is no stranger to a big tackle, of course, and loves to put his head where it hurts at times.

He has also formed a fine partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite, the two having become the heart of Everton’s defence.

Indeed, the backline has kept the second-most clean sheets this season – a record Moyes would no doubt love to continue.

READ NEXT: Premier League news: Newcastle Utd vs Nottingham Forest – Five key battles and score prediction

Charly Alcaraz vs Casemiro

Charly Alcaraz had a dream full debut against Crystal Palace, recording an assist and the winning goal last Saturday.

He replaced the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure for that fixture so there is a battle on for the position this weekend.

Alcaraz offers the coolness and composure on the ball that Doucoure often lacks, who can give the ball away a fair bit.

Moyes has the decision to make in that area, and Alcaraz may be favoured given the impressive performance last week.

It is then set to be a South American battle in the midfield as the man who has to contain Alcaraz is Brazilian international Casemiro.

United are still without Manuel Ugarte, who missed the defeat at Tottenham with injury.

Casemiro’s start last weekend was his first for nine games but he is expected to start this fixture.

The 32-year-old has fallen out of favour under Amorim, with his lack of pace an issue for the style of the Portuguese manager.

He does, however, have experience playing the deepest line in the midfield, although he has been struggling for form for a couple of seasons now.

The question is can he keep the likes of Alcaraz quiet this weekend?

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Premier League betting tips: Enzo Fernandez to score, and Darwin Nunez to do something…probably

David Moyes vs Ruben Amorim

The first meeting between the two in the Premier League and both are having contrasting impacts on their teams since being appointed.

Everton are unbeaten in five league games, winning four and drawing one, whereas Amorim has won the same amount of league matches yet was appointed at the end of November.

Moyes has turned Everton around in astonishingly quick fashion, driving any fear of relegation away from the club as the gap has widened to 13 points from 18th place.

As mentioned, they are a place above Saturday’s opponents, and a win against Moyes’ former club would have Everton looking up the table rather than down.

Amorim, on the other hand, is struggling to make a positive impact on United.

He has described his role as ‘so hard’ and the frailties are truly there for all to see.

As has been noted by many, he continues to go with a three-at-the-back formation, but it does not seem to be working.

United are currently 15th, and a win this weekend would see them leapfrog Everton. A defeat, though, would be disastrous.

Amorim wants to see some improvement and he needs it soon otherwise the pressure will begin to mount on the Portuguese coach.

Summary

United do have a very good record against Everton but, given the confidence that Moyes has instilled in the Toffees of late, I believe Everton will take all three points.

Score prediction: Everton 2-0 Manchester United

MORE FROM JON SHEA: Petr Cech, Usain Bolt and the famous athletes who switched sport codes