Former Liverpool star, Michael Owen, has predicted Manchester United to beat Everton 2-1 in tonight’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Owen also predicted Aston Villa to beat Arsenal 3-1 at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
Providing his prediction, Owen told BetVictor: “Manchester United’s 9-0 thrashing of Southampton will be long remembered by the Old Trafford faithful.
“Their home form has been a bit of a concern this season, so winning so emphatically will build the confidence that they need if they are to go on a winning run there.
“Everton’s fine season continued with an away win at Leeds midweek. The Toffees are well in the race for Europe, and with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, it would be no surprise to me if they got there.
“Everton have won their last four on the road, however, this will be their hardest test since that run began. United seem full of confidence just now.
“They are undefeated in 13 of their last 14 matches against Everton in all competitions, and I think they’ll just edge this one in what should be an entertaining match. Manchester United 2, Everton 1.”
Commenting on the Aston Villa vs Arsenal game, Owen said, “Arsenal had a night to forget at Molineux midweek, and they face another tricky tie in the West Midlands against Aston Villa in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Both these sides have contrasting styles of play. Arsenal like to have most of the ball whilst Villa are quite happy to sit in and counter.
Usually, you’d expect the home side to play on the front foot, however, I think Villa will happily give up territory and try to hit on the break.
There aren’t many teams better at that than Villa just now, and with Messrs Grealish and Watkins in such excellent form, I think they’ll have enough to take all three points. Aston Villa 3, Arsenal 1.”
The kick-off time for Man United vs Everton is 9 pm, while that of Aston Villa vs Arsenal is 1:30 pm.
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has clashed with reporters ahead of their LaLiga game at Huesca, demanding for respect.
On Friday, Zidane said journalists should “tell me to my face that you want me to go”.
The Frenchman had missed Real’s last two games while recovering from COVID-19.
A 2-1 defeat to Levante last weekend saw Los Blancos fall 10 points behind leaders, Atletico Madrid in the title race.
They were also eliminated from both the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey last month.
“Are you serious? Everyday I’m out, and you know it,” Zidane said when asked if he was being defensive of his position and his team.
“Last year we won the league. We did. Real Madrid.
“Next year they will have to do things, make changes maybe. But this year we have the right to fight. Let us fight.
“We won the league last year, not 10 years ago. Show a bit of respect for that. You [journalists] say a lot of things. But you have to take responsibility. Tell me to my face: I want you to go. We want you to go. But you have to say it, not behind my back.”
Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has revealed he has held showdown talks with Paul Pogba about the player’s future.
However, he has refused to confirm whether Pogba will sign a new contract at Old Trafford.
Pogba has less than 18 months left on his current deal and agent Mino Raiola said publicly in December that the Frenchman will not sign an extension.
The 27-year-old has hit a good run of form and was voted United’s player of the month for January.
But even after talks with the World Cup winner, Solskjaer is giving nothing away.
“Our conversations remain private. Speculation about Paul is always going to be there, we’ve got a good open dialogue with Paul so what we talk about and how we see that situation remains between us.
“I’m just happy he’s focused and playing really well, and he’s happy within himself and that’s important, you can see Paul enjoying football himself with a red shirt on,” Solskjaer said.
