Match preview: Everton U21 vs Manchester United U21

EVERTON and Manchester United’s under-21 sides will meet in the Barclays U21 Premier League on Monday evening for the second time in just under a month.

Both teams battled it out in a 0-0 draw back in February, as Everton missed a chance to gain three points which would have seen them move to the top of the table.

Now, the Red Devils lead the under-21 pack, but are only ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

You have to go all the way back to 2004 to find the last time Everton walked away victorious from this fixture, when second half goals from Steve Watson and Nicklas Alexandersson cancelled out Kenny Cooper’s opener for the hosts.

Since that game, United have won 12 of the 16 games played, with Everton managing just four draws from the fixture.

Neither side will go into Monday night in particularly good form, as Everton have only won two of their last six games, while United have a lone victory in that timeframe.

But the game provides David Unsworth’s men with a chance to put last Monday’s injury time loss to rivals Liverpool in the mini derby behind them, as victory over the Reds will see them pull within a point of their opponents.

Likewise, a win for Warren Joyce’s side could see them extend their lead to more than a single point, should other results go in their favour.

As we usually do, we’ll be bringing you live coverage of the game via our official Twitter account (@RBMersey), and a match report will be available following the completion of the game.