Everton

Everton have moved above Manchester United in the table, and they go into this game as favourites - and rightly so.

The Toffees are without the injured Iliman Ndiaye, which is a big blow for them, but Beto's improvement under David Moyes has been incredible and they definitely carry a goal threat now.

I actually think this game will be quite tight, though. I didn't think United's performance in last weekend's defeat at Tottenham was as bad as a lot of people made out.

They had some very good early chances they should have taken and I have a feeling they will have some opportunities this time too.

This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, which is what I am going with. One of my pals is an Everton fan and every time I haven't backed them to win under Moyes and they got something, he loved it.

He will probably be quite happy that I am not backing them here, either, but it's important for United boss Ruben Amorim that they get something at Goodison Park, and the way his side end this campaign is massive for him too.

United are not getting relegated whatever happens, but Amorim needs a decent result or two to build some credit for next season.

If he overhauls his squad in the summer, he needs to hit the ground running - it will be seen as being more his team and he has to get a tune out of them.

If that doesn't happen, then there is going to be a pile on from people saying there has been no progress since he took over from Erik ten Hag.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

David Moyes has had to tell Everton striker Beto he's "dreaming" with some of the shots he has been trying to score from, but believes the striker has improved since taking charge of the club.

The 27-year-old has scored four goals in five Premier League games under Moyes - as many as he managed in 42 league appearances under Sean Dyche.

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BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould believes "it's fitting" that David Moyes will be the manager that sees Everton leave Goodison Park and move to the new stadium.

Speaking about Moyes on the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's The Commentators' view podcast, Bould said: "He's just really relishing every single moment of being back and being part of this historic season, he's got to see Goodison out and I think that means a lot to him - it's a special place to him.

"While there's not been a trophy, he's the man that's brought some of the most incredible nights under the lights at Goodison - I think it's fitting.

"It's funny how life turns out and you go round in a big circle, I think he's enjoying it and wants to get well clear of that relegation zone. It's 13 points clear now so he has done great but, it's just to see Goodison out and enjoy it and then move into that new stadium."

BBC commentator John Murray also thinks Moyes is clearly showing that he is enjoying his time at Everton, and spoke about the chat he had with him after the Toffees beat Crystal Palace.

Murray said: "I had a chat with him at Selhurst Park, I thought it would be a quick chat but he was standing there for ages. They had just won a game but he was absolutely cock-a-hoop."

Listen to the full episode here

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Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Goodison Park (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes provided some injury updates on his squad: "We've got them [Carlos Alcaraz and Abdoulaye Doucoure] both fit at the moment. That gives us a decision to make. I'll need both of them. We're really short of numbers here - we've got nine or 10 players out injured."

• There was some good news about Iliman Ndiaye: "Ili [Ndiaye] has been taking injections and we're quite positive that he's working hard to get back quickly, so we're hoping we can get him back maybe before the time we thought."

• On whether there is anything personal against former club Manchester United: "No, not at all. I played against them a lot when I was manager of West Ham so it's another game in many ways. It's a great football club but my job is to try to beat them at the moment."

• On another two wins securing Premier League safety for the Toffees: "It sounds simple to say another two wins and you might get over the line. When you're sitting in this seat, every win in the Premier League is really, really difficult. I'm certainly not taking anything for granted."

• Moyes continued: "We've had a really good run and we've got to try to keep that going now. When you take over a team a little bit into the season, you have to find a way of getting the best results. Whatever we have asked the players to do, they've been fantastic. We are playing a lot better and doing a lot better in recent games."

• On Beto's impressive form: "If we'd bought a striker and paid big money for him, and he'd scored four in three starts, you'd say 'wow.' Beto has been given a big opportunity, and he's stood up and taken it. He's improved in the games as he's gone along, sometimes players need these opportunities. So, let's hope it continues and let's hope he can keep scoring."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Everton's PR Manager of Football Media David Prentice has been speaking about the latest former players that are to be inducted as new Everton Giants.

Andy Gray, Derek Mountfield, Kevin Sheedy and Paul Bracewell are all going to be inducted at half-time in Saturday's game against Manchester United.

Speaking about what fans can expect on Saturday to BBC Radio Merseyside, Prentice said: "There's going to be flags shown before the game of each of the new inductees, and we're going to bring them onto the pitch at half-time.

"Peter Reid, who is already an Everton Giant, is going to make a presentation to them.

"The reward for being inducted as an Everton Giant, on the walkway at the new Everton stadium, those 36,000 stones being laid on the walkway - there are bigger versions of that and every Everton Giant gets their own huge big paving stone with all their details, goals, appearances and time played at the club laid on the walkway.

"Each inductee also gets their own replica stone which they can carry away - they'll be brought onto the pitch and it'll be nice for them to take a salute from the Gwladys Street one last time because they've been in front of the crowd and cheered that many times - but for some of them, not for quite a few years.

"I think it'll be quite emotional."

Listen to the full interview here

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Everton's January loan signing Charly Alcaraz says he would like to play for the club "for a longer period" and it would be "brilliant" to experience the atmosphere at the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium when it fully opens next season.

Alcaraz played in Southampton's opening game of the season before moving to Brazilian side Flamengo for £15m.

However, he returned to the Premier League in January with a point to prove after being apart of the Saints team that was relegated in the 2022-23 season.

"Even before [Everton's interest] I was thinking I would love to come back to the Premier League because it is the best league in the world and I like a challenge," he said.

"I wanted to challenge myself and what better way than to do so at a big club like Everton.

"I am a very confident person and I have strong belief in my ability, and the only way to prove that is to come back and take on that challenge again and succeed here."

Alcaraz's loan deal includes an option to buy and the 22-year-old says he would like to stay in England after playing for five clubs in five years.

"I would like to settle down and be playing in this shirt for a longer period," he added.

"It would be brilliant to play there [Bramley-Moore Dock], for sure.

"The confidence from the manager, his coaching staff and my team-mates means I can do my thing, do my own stuff and prove who I am as a player."

Midfielder Carlos Alcaraz is keen to make his loan move to Everton a permanent arrangement. (Times - subscription required, external)

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Everton's improved form and the upcoming move to their new stadium are creating a wave of optimism.

The Football News Show turned to familiar faces to analyse what the future may hold.

Watch it by hitting play above or on iPlayer here.

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We asked for your views on the things going on at Everton that are being overlooked.

Here are some of your comments:

Anton: With all the positive attention (for once!) we're getting at the moment, there isn't a lot that's not being discussed! I suppose I would like to know more about what "finishing touches" could/will be added to our magnificent new stadium. What "Everton symbolism" will be put on the outside walls of the stadium? Are there plans for any statues? According to some who were there for the test event, the stadium is amazing but lacks an "Everton touch" in its visual.

Graham: With the new owners, why should it be a given that we sell a player like Branthwaite? Build the team around him.

Chris: Idrissa Gana Gueye. He's unbelievable and makes us tick. We sold him and didn't replace him until we signed him back! Doesn't get the plaudits he deserves at times but week in, week out is a seven or eight out of 10.

Andy: People talk about injuries for teams like Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City affecting their seasons - we have similar, if not worse levels, but David Moyes and the Everton team are at the top in terms of current form. Incredible turnaround in the circumstances.

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As a former Everton player, I was there when David Moyes was in charge the first time and it is nice that he has gone full circle and come back.

When he was there previously he got the very best out of players and it drove that period. He has come in and spoken about the history of the club and the fans. That is a big part of Everton.

You have got to connect the fans to the players. If you get that right and you get the fans behind you, it can help in a difficult time. I think he has reconnected that and given the fans that excitement again.

He has made them harder to beat and got individuals playing better - a lot better than than they did under Sean Dyche.

Is that due to form? Is it down to formation? Is it just minor tweaks that Moyes has made? You talk about managers that come in and the team have a reaction and he has been able to do that. Perhaps the break he took after West Ham has done him the world of good to come back energised.

They look a lot more structured, the players look like they are playing with more freedom and they look a lot more relaxed. You look at the form of Beto and the workrate he is now giving - I could not believe how much he ran at the weekend! The players look like they want to give a little bit more. Maybe they just needed someone that was going to go in and put an arm around them and Moyes looks like he gets that right with players. Those small details really can make a difference.

I was a bit hesitant when Everton first brought him back. I thought: "Are they just getting him in to stabilise the club until the end of the season? Is it a short-term thing?" But it does not look like that.

Moyes is staking a claim to say he is there for more than the short term. With the new stadium next season and the history of the club, there is no reason they cannot be pushing for the top half and European football spots next campaign.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

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It is funny how winning a few games of football breathes life back into a football club, but let's be honest - in football, momentum is everything.

It is an incredibly strange feeling to describe the mood around Everton Football Club as anything but positive at the moment, but that is just how it is, with future beginning to become a reality.

The struggles of the past feel just about behind us.

The first test event at Bramley Moore was a resounding success. Hearing the new ground described as "breathtaking" and "magnificent" certainly put to bed my own worries about the atmosphere of the grand old lady being lost with the years. Moreover, the work on the pitch is now befitting the proud legacy of the last season at Goodison Park.

Looking ahead to next season, Everton are now as far from a Champions League place (fifth place being taken into account) than they are relegation. David Moyes has done an incredible job since taking the helm again.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, there are many who would have been happy to settle for mid-table for a few years given the turbulence of the past few. If you had offered me 14th at the start of the season, I would have grabbed it with both hands, no questions asked.

However, given the commercial advantages of Bramley Moore, a now competent set of owners, talk of a restructure of the academy, improved metrics and a hugely attractive proposition for new players, why shouldn't Everton be aiming higher? It is certainly nice to start thinking about looking up the table for a change!

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Hot form, new stadiums, Beto's brilliance... the list of hot topics generating much debate goes on.

But you know your club best, so we want you to tell us the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Everton but really should be.

Let us know here

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Supporter Jay Motty from The Stretford Paddock spoke to the BBC's Football News Show about Manchester United's Premier League game against in-form Everton on Sunday:

"From a United perspective, it is really difficult to be positive at the moment," said Motty.

"Our form at the moment is pretty woeful, our performances have been dire. The one bit of comfort that I can take is that one of better results was against Everton under Ruben Amorim, but you look at it and it was a different manager for Everton then.

"David Moyes has come in and got them going. The fact we are sat closer to the relegation zone to the top four speaks volumes in terms of where we are at the moment.

"It's going to be a difficult afternoon and I'm sorry to say but I'm dreading it."

Watch the full programme on BBC iPlayer

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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The games can't come soon enough for Everton. The change brought about by David Moyes has been spectacular.

They are now looking up rather than over their shoulder, and Saturday's win at Crystal Palace showed they can grind out a victory – and away from home too. That's two on the spin. Coming so soon after that epic derby match made it all the more impressive.

Beto is rejuvenated, Carlos Alcaraz is showing great early promise, and the whole team are working their socks off. They always did of course but this time they have the added confidence of a side who've rediscovered that winning feeling.

We've seen the new stadium have its first test event this week, but the atmosphere at Goodison Park will be rocking again on Saturday when Manchester United visit.

David Moyes won't let himself or his players get over-confident, but there's a feel-good factor on the pitch which could make the remaining games at the famous old stadium ones to savour.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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Everton have lost their last five Premier League games against Manchester United, failing to score in the last four. They last lost five consecutive league games without reply against an opponent against Wolves between 1957 and 1960.

United have failed to score in 10 different Premier League games this season, with only Everton (12) doing so more often - the joint-most games the Red Devils have failed to score in during a single season, alongside 2004-05 and 2015-16.

Former Everton captain Alan Stubbs tells The Football News Show's Ben Croucher why their recent upturn in form under David Moyes "reflects badly" on previous manager Sean Dyche.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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What was the biggest surprise this week? Arsenal's Mikel Merino becoming a super sub - super striker? How about Marcus Rashford suddenly looking like a totally different human being now that he has swapped United's red for Villa's claret and amber?

I wouldn't blame Ruben Amorim for this situation for a second by the way, Rashford's problems long predated his arrival. Whatever the cause, the change of scenery has clearly given Rashford some clarity of mind for the time being. Let's hope it lasts.

The other huge surprise must be Everton and not just for their cavalier display against their mighty neighbours from across Stanley Park. Not only did they beat Crystal Palace away at the weekend, but they did so with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Iliman NDiaye, their two most impressive outfield players this season, unavailable.

What's more, that is 13 points from six games. They have averaged more than two points per game since Davie Moyes' arrival, when they had been at less than one before that this season. That is a huge jump and still the biggest surprise for me, though it is getting less surprising by the game.

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Having scored just four goals in 42 matches before David Moyes returned to the Everton dugout, striker Beto has been transformed with four goals his past five games.

Former Toffees captain Alan Stubbs tells The Football News Show how the change of manager at Goodison Park has benefited the striker.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

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Former Everton centre-back Alan Stubbs and BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould spoke to The Football News Show about the club's new stadium and the Toffees' move there from Goodison Park in the summer.

Stubbs said: "This summer is very important for the club. I do think they will reinforce and they will be able to spend some money. I do think Everton's financial situation should really stabilise and the club can really start to move forward.

"The club will get the benefit of the new revenue that the stadium will bring in 12 months later on. It should help with PSR and buying capability.

"The future is very bright for Everton but the club have to learn from mistakes made in the past."

Bould added: "The new stadium is key to the club. The new owners, The Friedkin Group, are currently in negotiations for a sponsorship deal and naming rights for the stadium which will finally see Everton's finances boosted.

"Of course we all know the situation in recent seasons with profit and sustainability rule breaches, points deductions and having to sell off some of the best players in the squad.

"Once Everton move in, more season tickets will be able to be sold, plus it will be a seven-day-a-week venue. There will be restaurants open throughout the week plus they are looking into it becoming a concert venue, which will be really lucrative for the club."

Watch the full programme on BBC iPlayer

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A group of Everton supporters will write to Liverpool City Council to air concerns over safe access to the club's new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

The venue played host to a test event on Monday and despite widespread praise for the stadium, some fans pointed to crowding at Sandhills station as a serious issue to overcome.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) have already said they will be reviewing matters.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Barry Williams from Everton Fans' Forum said: "When we got back to Sandhills there was no organisation at all. It was basically just a free-for-all to get back on the platform. No structure to it. They weren't guiding anyone where to go.

"The ground was one fifth full. It just doesn't look like Sandhills is going to be able to cope. The Council haven't helped themselves with the parking restrictions. They need to really reconsider it. The fans forum will be writing to the Council over the next few weeks.

"If they're just going to load the platform it's going to lead to some sort of disaster.

"I don't want to scare people or anything – but they're in for a really big shock when they travel to Bramley Moore for the first time."

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We asked for your first impressions of Everton's new stadium, which hosted it's first match on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: It's bitter sweet. I love Goodison and the last derby showed it at its best. But walking up to the new ground was breath-taking. It's a phenomenal building inside and out. The scale and design is amazing, and the setting on the banks of the River Mersey just makes it that much more special. It'll be sad to leave Goodison, but I don't think anyone will be disappointed by Bramley-Moore.

Neil: Absolutely outstanding stadium but Sandhills Station needs a reset as last night told me its not fit for purpose and that's before five times the amount of people expected. The Stadium is a credit to all concerned and now we need a team to match.

Tom: The pictures don't do justice to how huge and steep the stands are. The outside is beautiful and the fan plaza is huge. It's the greatest ground I've ever been in and a must visit for away fans.

Tyler: Stunning stadium, however I can see some fans being annoyed at the design of the safe standing bollards. The seat I sat in last night had a metal bollard directly in front of my knee so I had to sit on an angle. Bad engineering. The stadium is beautiful though.

Daffyd: As nice as the new stadium is, it's absolutely freezing there. I dread to think what it will be like in the middle of winter, with a strong wind blowing in off the Mersey.

Robert: It is impressive up close, from first impressions outside, to going inside. The concourses are huge and have a huge variety of food and drink, with more to come once the alcohol license is given. Moving up the last set of stairs to see the actual playing surface and the new four stands, wow! There's the safe standing areas of the lower south stand, new home end, and also the same in the front of the away part. Overall it's very big, new, beautiful and modern - and still not fully finished!

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Authorities say they will listen to feedback from fans and hope to introduce "immediate steps" for improvement following complaints over public transport access in the aftermath of the first match at Everton's new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

The Toffees hosted an under-18s friendly against Wigan on Monday, with around 10,000 fans attending what was labelled a 'test event'.

Fans were full of praise for Everton's new home but some took to social media to raise issues - particularly at Sandhills station, which is the closest stop to the ground, where there seemed to be overcrowding on the platform.

Liverpool councillor Richard Clein told the Liverpool Echo,, external external he fears "major safety issues" at the station, and the infrastructure "clearly hasn't been thought through".

A Liverpool City Region Combined Authority spokesperson said: "The purpose of test events, like the one held last night, is to identify improvements and adjustments that can be made to ensure matchdays and large events progress smoothly and safely, particularly in terms of crowd management and managing the flow of passengers onto platforms. These test events will be subject to a comprehensive review with all organisations and partners involved.

"The queuing system in place at Sandhills station is modelled on the tried-and-tested arrangements used for major events such as the Grand National in Aintree.

"We'll be taking on board comments from people who attended the event to see whether immediate steps can be taken to address specific concerns raised.

"Over the coming months the space will continue to be developed to become a welcoming and vibrant fan zone, with plans for new toilets, a fixed stage, food and refreshment areas and digital screens to enhance the visitor experience.

"We'll continue working closely with partners at Merseyrail, Liverpool City Council and Everton FC and will keep fans fully updated as the work to deliver these facilities progresses."