Man Utd vs. Everton Betting Tips: Back Demarai Gray to strike again in Manchester

Manchester United take on Everton in the FA Cup on Friday night and we've got Jimmy The Punt on hand to preview the action and provide us with his best bets.

First weekend of January can only mean one thing, the FA Cup third round. The 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship sides join the 20 lower league clubs to make it this far. 

If last season's round is anything to go off, we should be in for a treat as there was an upset in a third of the fixtures where lower league opposition dumped their opponents out in eight games. 

This season's third round commences at Old Trafford where Manchester United take on Everton in an all top flight affair, though given the latter’s form, their days may be numbered, as could their supremo’s.

The Toffee’s were thumped on Tuesday by Brighton, and have only picked up two results in their last seven games.

• FA Cup Winner Odds

Frank Lampard is now odds on favourite to be the next EPL manager to be sacked and with pressure mounting should name a strong XI here. This would see the likes of Demarai Gray, Alex Iwobi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all feature. 

In stark contrast, the Red Devils are in scintillating form winning their last six on the spin, and nine of their last 10 games in all competitions. 

Not even a snoozy Marcus Rashford could derail Erik ten Hag’s side's momentum. The hosts are 8/15 favourites here and it is easy to see why.

Both teams to score is even money (1/1) for a few reasons. One of which being Manchester United have not conceded in six hours of football and have kept clean sheets in seven of their last 10 games. 

It is also worth noting that over their last 10 games, the Toffees have averaged less than a goal a game for as well. 

However, this is the FA Cup, Friday night under the lights and I do not think the occasion can be downplayed. 

Lampard needs a result for the sake of his job and if his side find themselves behind, as has been the case in 55% of their 20 fixtures in all competitions this season, they will have to go for this.

The last goalscorer market is not something I delve into too much but I think Demarai Gray’s price in it is too large. 

The attacker has been a bright spark in an otherwise dull Toffees team. Each of his three league goals have come last in their respective matches and I think this is testament to Lampard’s reactive tactics. 

Often you see Everton look to contain and counter in the early phase of games, forced to open up if they go a goal or two behind. 

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember toi gamble responsibly.

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