Manchester United will be aiming to halt their two-match winless run and reignite their top-four push when they face relegation-threatened Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime.
United — who were held to a 1-1 draw by the Toffees at Old Trafford back in October — will be looking to get back to winning ways after drawing with Leicester City last Saturday. The point left United seventh in the table at the end of the weekend, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night certainly gave United fresh optimism in their quest to clinch the final Champions League berth, but they remain outsiders. Therefore, after just one win in their last four Premier League outings, they need a win at Goodison.
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Considering they are going up against an Everton side who have lost six of their last seven games and are staring relegation in the face, United will fancy their chances of moving level on points with Spurs, certainly for a few hours at least. But how do the pundits think Ralf Rangnick's side will get on against the Toffees?
Mark Lawrenson - BBC Sport
"I watched Everton in their defeat against Burnley on Wednesday and there is nothing wrong with their effort and attitude," Lawrenson told BBC Sport. "They work extremely hard and you can see what it means to them.
"Unfortunately for the Toffees, they are lacking quality when it matters — at both ends. You can't just blame their problems on their defence, although they are obviously struggling massively there.
"They had chances to score more goals when they were 2-1 up against Burnley, but they didn't take them and paid the price. There is still hope for Everton, though, starting on Saturday.
"Their home form means they will be more confident at Goodison and Manchester United are still horribly inconsistent. Everton fans know relegation is a really serious prospect and I think they will raise the roof.
"It almost got their side something against Manchester City a few weeks back, when they played extremely well, and it will really help them this time too. United are the better team, but Everton have to treat this like a cup tie and throw everything at it.
"Trying to keep 11 men on the pitch would be handy, because a lack of discipline has been another of the Toffees' recent problems, but they will have to be feisty to get anything from the game."
Prediction: Everton 1-1 United.
Paul Merson - Sportskeeda
"Everton suffered a damaging defeat against Burnley and could be in the bottom three by Saturday evening, but something tells me they're going to beat Manchester United," Merson told Sportskeeda. "This is a cup final for Frank Lampard's side, and they will have to play consistently across 90 minutes to get a result, which has been a major problem for them in recent weeks.
"Manchester United are just all over the place at the moment, they weren't good enough against Leicester City last weekend. There's a lot of talk that they're better off without Cristiano Ronaldo, but I'm afraid I have to disagree with that idea.
"He's not going to win them the Premier League - I said this when he joined the club - but they are certainly a better team with him. I have a feeling they might look to let him go this summer - we'll have to wait and see how that situation develops under their new manager.
"Everton's next few games are absolutely atrocious and I think they'll probably get relegated if they lose this one, as Burnley's run-in looks a lot simpler on paper. After this game, they have Leicester twice, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal to play till the end of the campaign along with other teams.
"You can call me mad, but I can see the Toffees getting all three points here."
Prediction: Everton 2-1 United.
Michael Owen - BetVictor
"Wednesday’s defeat to Burnley was a disaster [for Everton]," Owen told BetVictor. "The pressure and mood around the club can’t be good at all right now, Frank Lampard has a massive job on his hands. I’ve said it all along, Goodison Park will determine Everton’s destiny this season. They’ll need every point they can get at home.
"It says it all that United’s draw against Leicester last week wasn’t even surprising. Their form has just been so inconsistent, and it feels like this season is just drifting away. The lack of goals in the side is a worry. With all the attacking quality they have, they shouldn’t be struggling to put it in the net.
"I think the fans will really be up for this, they know how much trouble this side is in. Goodison can be such a difficult place for away teams when the fans are like that. I'm going for a 1-1 draw."
Prediction: Everton 1-1 United.
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