Everton will be hoping to build on an impressive draw with Chelsea when they entertain relegation candidates Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park this afternoon. The toffees are still winless in their last six Premier League games and have slumped to the brink of the drop zone however picking up the whole haul of points today could see us climb as high as 12th.
MOYES
‘I said to the players that they needed to stand up and be counted against West Brom but not many stood up that day,’
‘But the players know that when you walk out at Goodison you do need to stand up.
‘Goodison has always been really good to us, there’s been a lot of talk about new stadiums and like everyone else I want better seating and better viewing and more people in the ground,’
‘But I don’t really want to change the atmosphere and the way Goodison is because I think it wins you points.’
We’ve picked up the majority of our points at home, it’s an intimidating stadium and the crowd are terrific when they are in full flight,’
‘But we have to do better on the pitch, there was no excuse for our performance against West Brom.
‘We’ve had some good performances at home but we’ve either not scored the goals or we’ve not played well enough’
Everton Team News:
Mikel Arteta is serving the second game of his three match ban.
The list of injuries of starting to pile up again with Heitinga,Osman,Pienaar,Saha all doubts for todays clash.
Should Saha miss out it could be the ideal time for Moyes to start Beckford and Yakubu and finally show some attacking intent at home.
Should Pienaar and Osman miss out Moyes will have to shuffle his midfield pack although I think we should cope with the likes of Rodwell and Billy waiting in the wings.
POSSIBLE TEAM : Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill, Yakubu.
Player to watch: Baines
The was world class against Chelsea and looked our only source of creativity. His running on the ball was something to be marvelled and that was against a title chasing Chelsea. He should run rings around this shower.
Wigan Team News:
Hugo Rodallega returns after serving a three match ban and is expected to start.
Gary Caldwell is suffering from a knee injury and faces a struggle to be fit in time. Boyce is also struggling with a hamstring injury.
Wigan will be without Di Santo and McCarthy who are both suffering from ankle injuries, Victor Moses misses out with a shoulder injury.
POSSIBLE TEAM Al Habsi, Boyce, Gohouri, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Diame, Thomas, N’Zogbia, Watson, Cleverley, Rodallega
Player to watch: Rodallega
Fresh back from his three match ban there can be no doubt that Rodallega poses the biggest threat on Evertons goal that Wigan can muster. He is a big strong player who has a good finish in his locker. Despite this Distin and Jags combined to keep Drogba quiet last weekend so you would hope they would be able keep this lad quiet.
Match Facts & Stats
The Latics’ only previous win at Goodison Park was 1-0 in September 2005, when Damien Francis got the only goal
Wigan have won two of 10 Premier League games against Everton. They have lost six of those matches, including the last three
If Everton lose, it would the their 100th Premier League defeat at Goodison Park whilst if Wigan lose, it would be their 100th Premier League defeat
Everton have managed just three victorys this season and they all came within a four game period way back in October
Louis Saha has had more shots (30) without finding the net than any other player this season in the Premier League
Yakubu has scored three goals in five Premier League appearances against Wigan
Ref Watch:
Michael Oliver ……. Who?
Match Prediction:
I fully expect us to win here today. We need to build on the Chelsea game and finally get our backsides in gear starting with our forwards they need to start performing and finding the net again.
I will go for a 3-0 win for Everton today I really dont rate this Wigan side and think that Everton could have field day against this lot if they get their heads on straight. COYB