For a mid-week Premier League fixture, Manchester United host Everton, “the other” football club from Liverpool. The last meeting, in December, ended in a draw, and the Red Devils dropping two points they really should have had. United Manager Jose Mourinho met the media hours ago to preview the match.
Here’s the video (it’s only 4:36 long, so it’s an easy watch) of the previously embargoed press briefing, via YouTube. A multitude of topics are covered in this session including:
-The health of Juan Mata, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Paul Pogba
-Strong stuff about the Top Four and Luke Shaw being behind Young, Darmian and Daley Blind! Mourinho says Shaw is “a long way behind.”
-How focused they are going to be on winning this game, and how bad they need it. “Against Everton, we’ll try to play our best team and try to win the match,” as Mourinho said.
United come into this match in fifth place with 53 points. Everton are 7th, with 50 points on the season. According to Sky Bet, United are substantial favorites. It’s 8/15 for a United victory. Odds for a draw are 3/1. For a Everton victory, we’re seeing 5/1. So the Red Devils are being backed heavily to win this one.
Prediction: United 1, Everton 0
Enjoy the match, we’ll have the link to our match injury/fitness report and also the link to our starting XI prediction up very shortly.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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