Everton's turn on Matchweek 27 takes place on Monday night, with Manchester United visiting Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.
The Toffees enter the match in 9th place in the Premier League table, just a point behind Bournemouth, although the Blues cannot overtake the Cherries without taking all three points against United on Monday night.
The start of 2026 has been up-and-down for Everton, featuring rather bad losses (4-2 at home to Brentford), exciting wins (away to Villa and Fulham), but mostly plenty of draws.
The visitors, on the other hand, come to Merseyside in 5th place, and even a draw would be enough to temporarily allow them to leap over Chelsea into the Champions League places. The Red Devils have won four of their last five as part of their five match unbeaten run.
It sets up for an interesting reverse fixture to Everton's strange win back in late November 2025, with United looking to avoid losing both matches to the Toffees for the first time since 2013/14.
David Moyes' lineup decision will be interesting, as the Scottish manager's choice against top opponents has been to set up a low block, even at home.
Everton's predicted starting XI vs Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Jordan Pickford (GK): The England international was massive in the first win at Old Trafford, amassing 6 saves off of 25 United shots.
Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): With defense likely to be the theme of the evening, the Ukrainian will be in his element moreso than if the Toffees were on the ball more.
Jarrad Branthwaite (CB): Missed the reverse fixture due to injury, but will be massive with Everton likely defending for their lives against a rejuvenated United side.
James Tarkowski (CB): Is much better with the athletic Branthwaite beside him. Had 14 defensive contributions at Old Trafford, including 9 clearances.
Nathan Patterson (RB): O'Brien is suspended, and it might have been good to have his defensive acumen here. Moyes did mention that Seamus Coleman is available, and he did start the reverse fixture coming off a break, so don't rule it out.
Midfielders
Idrissa Gana Gueye (CDM): Hopefully, he can stay on the pitch longer than 13 minutes this time.
James Garner (CM): There is always the outside chance that Moyes uses Garner at right back, but he'll be in the lineup one way or another.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (CM): He was Everton's best outfield player in the reverse fixture, and they'll need him to step again by going to find the ball wherever it goes.
Forwards
Iliman Ndiaye (LW): He hasn't looked himself since coming back from AFCON, so here's hoping he'll start to show out starting on Monday night.
Tyler Dibling (RW): Moyes insisted this week that the now-20-year-old will get his chances, while also admitting he forgot the kid's birthday. There's no time like the present.
Thierno Barry (CF): While his purple patch is over, the Frenchman remains a hard work, something that will need to continue on Monday.