ALEX JONES (@AlexJ0nes9) analyses the odds as Manchester United host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United vs Everton | Saturday 2nd October 2021, 12:30 | BT Sport
Manchester United welcome Everton to Old Trafford and anything but a win here surely hampers their slight chances of Premier League silverware this season.
The Red Devils have started sluggishly and are currently relying on individual brilliance to rescue them, such as Ronaldo in midweek and Mason Greenwood at Wolves.
The only team yet to score past them this season is Wolves, who generated a shot count of 15 and double the number of shots on target (6).
The visitors, Everton, have started well and perhaps slightly better than anticipated after the controversial appointment of Rafa Benitez.
A first play here that looks good on the stats is each team to take 4+ corners, a bet that has landed in 6/6 (100%) of Everton games under Rafa Benitez.
Their match corner totals averages at 10.8 per game, with the Toffees averaging exactly 5 corners per match, with 30 in 6 contests.
They have lost the corners count in 4/6 games, though, despite posting relatively strong figures themselves.
United are averaging seven corners a game and have taken and conceded four in a match in 4/6, and the only team to not hit 4+ at Old Trafford was Newcastle, who posted three flag kicks.
All in all, I think a price of 5/4 is more than fair. It also landed on Wednesday evening for United with the corner tally ending 4-4 against Villareal.
Elsewhere, one man who is benefitting from a change in system under his new manager is Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The French midfielder has started the season well, with 2 goals and 3 assists in his opening six matches.
I fancy him to shoot when given the opportunity to and the 9/4 available on him hitting the target looks big.
Given that only Andros Townsend and Calvert-Lewin have hit the target more than him, with 6 and 7 shots on target respectively, I think it is overpriced.
The bet has landed in 5/6 matches so far, only failing at Aston Villa. I think the price is going off his deeper role last term under Carlo Ancelotti.
He fired four shots against man Utd last season, hitting the target in this fixture, which ended 3-3.
Best Bets
Manchester United vs Everton – 4+ Corners Each Team (5/4 Sky Bet)
Manchester United vs Everton – Abdoulaye Doucoure 1+ Shot on target (9/4 Sky Bet)
