Man Utd v Everton
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 23 April Kick-off: 1245 BST
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand may return after sitting out the draw at Newcastle because of a slight calf problem.
Top scorer Dimitar Berbatov should be available despite missing Tuesday's game through illness, but Paul Scholes completes a two-game ban.
Everton will assess John Heitinga, who was forced off against Blackburn because of a hamstring problem.
Tim Cahill is still struggling with a foot injury and could again miss out.
Man Utd
Suspended: Scholes (one match)
Doubtful: Berbatov (illness), Ferdinand (calf)
Injured: Fletcher (virus), Hargreaves (shoulder), Lindegaard & Rafael (both knee)
Everton
Doubtful: Cahill (foot), Heitinga (hamstring)
Injured: Arteta & Baxter (both hamstring),
Fellaini & Saha (both ankle)
MATCH PREVIEW
The arithmetic is simple for Manchester United; victory in their next three games will guarantee a record 19th league crown. However, a slip-up against in-form Everton would reinvigorate the title hopes of Arsenal and Chelsea, who United face in their subsequent two domestic fixtures.
United's patchy away form means they cannot afford to drop points at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who drew 0-0 with Newcastle on Tuesday, have won just five away league games this season. If they do clinch the title next month, their tally of away victories will be a record low for the Premier League champions.
In fact, even if they win their remaining two outings (at Arsenal and Blackburn) they will end the campaign with seven wins; the last side to win the championship with fewer than eight away victories was Liverpool, who managed only five in 1976/77.
However, United's home form has been imperious. They have won 17 of their last 18 league games at Old Trafford, and face an Everton side who have not won there for almost 19 years.
If the Toffees can end that barren run they will leapfrog sixth-placed Liverpool, for a couple of hours at least. Sixth place would only be worth a Europa League place if Manchester City win the FA Cup and also finish fifth.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Since losing to Everton in their first Premier League encounter, United have won 14 and drawn three of 17 games against the Toffees at Old Trafford.
• Everton's last win at Old Trafford came in the inaugural Premier League season, when Peter Beardsley, Robert Warzycha and Mo Johnston scored in a 3-0 win on 19 August 1992.
• Everton have scored six goals in their last two games against Manchester United, although both matches were at Goodison Park. The sides drew 3-3 earlier this season, while Everton won 3-1 in February 2010.
Manchester United
• The Red Devils have taken 52 points from a possible 54 in their last 18 Premier League games at Old Trafford. The only slip-up in that run was a 2-2 draw with West Brom in October.
• No opposition player has scored a first-half goal in a domestic match at Old Trafford since Joe Cole on 3 April 2010.
• They have kept clean sheets in three of their last four league games.
Everton
• The Toffees have won five of their last seven league matches (W5, D2), having previously won just six of their opening 26 games.
• They have scored nine goals in their last four league games, and have failed to score in only one league match since New Year's Day.
• Everton have opened the scoring in 16 league matches this season, losing only one (at Arsenal in February).
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Peter Walton
Assistant referees: Mike Cairns & Ron Ganfield
Fourth official: Kevin Friend
Code:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9462505.stm