Friday 26 August 2011

Blackburn Rovers v Everton Preview

Having managed to get our season off to an even worse start than usual at home to QPR last weekend, we now travel to Ewood Park to face the team that beat us on the opening weekend last year, Blackburn Rovers.

In August 2010 a rare Tim Howard error (literally) handed Blackburn three early Premier League points - points which proved to be oh so vital for Rovers come the back end of the season.

Since the end of last season, Evertonians have endured a painful Summer and the loss to newly-promoted QPR did little to apease frustrations. A comfortable midweek cup victory over Sheffield United saved our blushes for the time being, but already in the season the game at Blackburn looks a huge one.

A pair of losses to QPR and Blackburn - two of the pre-season favourites for relegation - would signal an even worse start than usual. It's not a 'must-win game' but frustrations will continue to grow if we come away empty-handed.

Injury wise, there are no fresh concerns for Everton - although there is a lengthy injury list, especially considering the season is still very much in its infancy. Seamus Coleman (ankle) and Magaye Gueye (broken toe) are definite absentees, whilst Tim Cahill (illness) and Jermaine Beckford (knee) both missed Wednesday's Carling Cup tie.

Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta are both nearing full fitness after completing ninety minutes against Sheffield United. Louis Saha also played a part in Wednesday's win although he has had Evertonians worried this morning after tweeting: "I had better mornings #gutted".

There is no indication yet if the bad news is injury related but, if it is, I'm surprised he's lasted two games to be honest. Let's hope he's fully fit - and he was just gutted about not having any milk to accompany his cheerios.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is available for selection again after serving his suspension, and so taking everything into account I predict that the team will look something like:


Blackburn should have their man-mountain of a centre-half, Chris Samba, fit again for the game, whilst David 'Junior' Hoilett and new striker David Goodwillie are my ones to watch.

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STAT'S LIFE
Welcome to stat set no. 3 of the 2011/2012 campaign!
  • Only one of Everton's last seven league games has seen more than 2.5 goals.
  • Blackburn have the worst shooting accuracy of any Premier League side so far this season - just 22% of their efforts have been on target.
  • These two founding members of the football league first met in November 1888, when Rovers prevailed 3-0.
  • Tim Cahill's current run of 11 league matches without a goal is his longest drought in six years.
  • Blackburn have won just 2 of their last 16 matches and have not kept a clean sheet in their last ten.
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With both sides having showcased their defensive frailties so far this season, I'm going to predict that both sides will score. I can't see Blackburn netting more than one against us though, and so I'm going to plump (and hope) for an away win.

StickyToffee Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Everton

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