Good news for Everton and bad for Manchester United?

Here's a question; does the fact Everton now host Manchester United in an 8pm kick-off give them an advantage?

The club have the home advantage already, but United's side is perceived as better - runners-up in the league last season compared to Everton's 7th. We asking if the late kick-off could tip the fixture in Everton's favour.

There is something about evening kick-offs which generate more atmosphere, whether it be playing under the floodlights, or the extra anticipation of a crowd who have been eagerly waiting all day.

Everton's supporters at Goodison Park are among the most vocal in the league, and ensure the stadium is rarely an easy place to visit.

The Toffees have a more than respectable record against United at home in recent years, and face them in the opening fixture, not for the first time.

In August 2005, United went to the ground on the opening day and won 2-0, in a midday kick-off. In midday kick-offs, a regular time for the game in recent years, on police advice for fear of trouble between the two sets of fans, results have been shared. 3-1 to Everton in 2010, 3-3 in 2010, and 1-0 to United last season in 2011.

The last time Everton faced United in an evening kick-off at Goodison was back in April 2005, Everton won 1-0 through a Duncan Ferguson goal.

The atmosphere that night was electric, and Everton would love a repeat. A Darron Gibson goal against Manchester City gave them a memorable 1-0 win over United's rivals in February, in an evening game which again will act as a blueprint for David Moyes and his side.

United will have to treat the fixture as they do tough Champions League encounters, which see them play evening games in usually very hostile environments. The problem for them is their European form was poor last year, knocked out in the CL group stages, and at their second Europa League hurdle.

In their favour, is the fact that Everton are notoriously slow starters, a fact which David Moyes will be desperate to address. They began last season delayed, because of their Tottenham fixtures, and lost their opening game at home - during the day - to newly promoted QPR.

With such a headline clash this time around, there will be no excuses for slow starts, and United will not want to give up early ground in the title race, with City expected to run out comfortable winners over Southampton, but Everton will not be easy to beat.

With United having players including Rafael and David de Gea involved with the Olympics too, it all adds up in our eyes, to advantage Everton, whether they can make it count - is another matter.

Does the fixture time change give Everton an edge? What are your predictions for the game?

image: © Ben Sutherland