Everton and Manchester United will meet at Goodison Park on Saturday, February 22, 2025, as the two teams look to turn their season around and ease fears of relegation from the Premier League. The early kick-off, which starts at 12:30 PM GMT, promises to be filled with excitement as both clubs are desperately seeking points to secure their positions above the relegation zone.
Currently, Everton sits 14th on the league table, 13 points clear of the drop zone, thanks to their strong form under manager David Moyes. Since his return to the club, the Toffees have united to win four out of their last five matches, including a notable 2-1 win against Crystal Palace last week, boosting their confidence significantly. Notably, Moyes expressed pride at how his team has coped with numerous injuries and highlighted the importance of squad depth. "We’ve got [Doucoure and Alcaraz] both fit at the moment, so we’ll need both of them because we’re really short on numbers," he said during his pre-match conference.
On the flip side, Manchester United finds themselves struggling at 15th place, just one point behind Everton. The Red Devils have had their fair share of troubles this season, primarily under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Since taking charge, Amorim's side has managed only four victories out of 14 league matches—a tally not befitting the reputation of one of England's historically most successful clubs. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, where they failed to score again. "I just want to win against Everton," Amorim emphasized, reflecting the urgency of the situation and the need for his squad to deliver results after dismal performances.
Manchester United’s injury woes remain severe, with several key players unavailable for selection. Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez will miss the rest of the season due to respective injuries, adding to the frustration surrounding the squad. Other notable absentees include Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, which leaves Amorim with limited options. He is hopeful, though, for the return of Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte, who are expected to add creativity and depth to the lineup.
Everton has not only improved their league standing, but they have also made strides to solidify their tactics under Moyes. The manager's return has been marked by more aggressive and front-foot football, which has positively impacted new signings like Beto, who has scored four goals in his last three matches. His development can make a significant difference against Manchester United’s often shaky defense. Unfortunately, Everton will still be without several players—including Dominic Calvert-Lewin—who has faced injury setbacks throughout the season.
Historically speaking, Manchester United holds the advantage, having won 91 of the previous 196 encounters with Everton, making them significant favorites—at least on paper. The Toffees have, unfortunately, lost the last five Premier League matches against United, and fans will be anxious for their side to break this concerning trend. This match is especially significant as it marks the final time Manchester United will play at the Goodison Park venue, which has served as the club's adversary for many memorable encounters over the years.
Looking at player fitness for both sides, Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure returns after serving a one-match suspension but may struggle to gain full match fitness in the starting lineup. Moyes has repeatedly emphasized the resilience of his squad, stating, "I think I’ve got nine or ten players out injured, so for us to be getting results with this amount of players out is great credit to the players who are playing at the moment." Meanwhile, Amorim's side needs to adjust quickly as the absence of Diallo, coupled with the pressure to redeem their poor form, creates more urgency. United’s predicted lineup reflects some changes with Eriksen’s potential involvement allowing extra creativity.
Betting odds suggest it’s going to be tightly contested with Everton placed at 6/4 for the win and Manchester United at 19/10. Many analysts predict tightly matched games—some even suggest the possibility of cancellation probabilities for both teams, emphasizing how closely matched they are now. Given United's struggles, one could see Everton taking advantage of this opportunity to extend their positive run.
Fans can catch the game live on TNT Sports, beginning at 11:30 AM GMT. This match not only signifies the fight against relegation for both teams but also marks the end of an era for Goodison Park. Will Everton maintain their resurgence, or can Manchester United finally shake off their dismal results? Only time will tell as the two clubs lock horns for another thrilling Premier League clash.