Everton v Man Utd betting tips: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Sack Race odds-on as pressure mounts

This isn't the first time Solskjaer has led the Sack Race since being appointed permanent manager at the tail end of 2018/19, but it certainly feels like the moment of greatest pressure.

That's really saying something given that he presided over one of the most humiliating days in the club's history only a month ago, as they were thrashed 6-1 at home by predecessor Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur.

Solskjaer was quickly cut from 20/1 to 5/4 to be the next Premier League boss to leave his post; now you'd be lucky to get 4/6.

A multitude of factors helped dial down the noise surrounding the Norwegian's future in the immediate aftermath of that result, and one of those very same elements could be his downfall this time.

October's international break allowed the vitriol to dissipate. Solskjaer had plenty of credit in the bank from a superb end to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, and United's slow start could be explained by a shortened pre-season that was exacerbated by their late involvement in the Europa League knockout stage.

Calm heads prevailed, and impressive wins over Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig followed. The goalless draw at home with Chelsea was drab, but forgivable.

Not so a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford and a shock defeat away to Champions League novices Istanbul Basaksehir.

November's international break will only serve to whip up the frenzy while offering the perfect opportunity for a new man to get settled in before Man United's next game; unless Solskjaer's players deliver at Goodison.

Premier League Sack Race odds

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 4/7
• Slaven Bilic - 3/1
• Scott Parker - 8/1
• Chris Wilder, Sean Dyche - 12/1

Click here for the full current Sky Bet market

Odds correct at 14:00 GMT (06/11/20)

When I say frenzy, this is far from a short-term over-reaction from unrealistic supporters. Manchester United's start has been appalling. You have to go back to 1972 for the last time they failed to win in their opening four home league games and they've taken just seven points from six top-flight matches, their worst start for seven years.

That 2013/14 campaign saw the then title-holders finish seventh. David Moyes failed to see out the season.

United wanted to narrow the gap on champions Liverpool this term - they're already nine points behind.

Solskjaer should be under pressure given such results, but there's more to it than that. Namely, the low standard of performances, lack of coherent playing style and expectation that his likely successor is waiting in the wings.

Everton v Manchester United

• 12:30 GMT on BT Sport 1
• Match odds: Home 19/10 | Draw 5/2 | Away 11/8

The visitors have only gone above 1.0 xG in one of their last four outings in all competitions with a tiny 0.39 posted in response to Arsenal's 1.07. We can focus on the defence, but the fact remains they are offering little in attack either.

Edinson Cavani is going to become Solskjaer's man to throw on when he's chasing the game but that in itself explains the situation with this United team. From top to bottom, everyone has played a part for their current problems and you can't see it improving unless a serious change is made.

Everton's injury issues may be key here but it's worth taking them as the outsiders in this contest given the form of the visitors. 19/10 is just too generous for a team who have, on the whole, had a strong start to the campaign.

Best bet: Everton to win at 19/10

Click for Tom Carnduff's full betting preview

Mauricio Pochettino is now as short as 3/10 to be the next Manchester United manager after a week that could hardly have gone more in his favour; not that he strikes me as the kind of person that would wish poor results on one of his peers.

Just 24 hours after that limp defeat by Arsenal, the former Tottenham boss was a pundit on Monday Night Football.

Two days later, came United's rank display in Istanbul; the next morning reports were circulating that he'd been approached.

This story has all the hallmarks of Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford in 2016 when following months of speculation he was confirmed as manager, barely moments after Louis van Gaal led the club to victory in the FA Cup final.

But, ahead of United's trip to Goodison, Solskjaer was bullish.

"If I don't trust my beliefs and values, who else will?" he said.

"I don't look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards. There are demands on a Man United player, coach and manager. There is an expectation - we have to be tough mentally.

"We are the best and biggest club in the world and after losing on Wednesday we didn't expect anything but criticism. It is how you deal with it. The boys are ready for a reaction. We are all hurt. It is never easy when you lose two games on the bounce but that is football.

"There is always pressure and expectation on us. I became a man at Manchester United. I have learned how to deal with good and bad times. Every game of football becomes history quickly.

"We have to go to Goodison Park with a positive frame of mind."

At least Van Gaal got to sign off by lifting a trophy at Wembley, receiving the adulation of tens of thousands of supporters.

Another poor performance at lunchtime on Saturday and Solskjaer could be saying goodbye in very different circumstances.

With defeat at an empty Goodison Park.

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