Scouting the Doubles – Everton

David Moyes must be wishing the season was just getting underway. Decimated by injuries earlier this term, Everton are now approaching something close to their gaffer’s first choice XI, following the return of key players such as Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka from long term lay-offs. As we reach the end of our comprehensive guide to double gameweek 31, here’s a rundown of the men from Goodison…

Opponents

First up for Everton is a home tie with Bolton. Owen Coyle has lifted the Trotters eight points clear of the drop zone, but like many of the teams in the bottom half of the table, there is some disparity in their home and away statistics. Bolton may well have four clean sheets in a row at home, but the match is at Goodison, and their form on the road is not particularly heartening. They have failed to score in five of their last six away from home, picking up just one clean sheet in the process.

Everton then travel to Man City, a team unbeaten in their last five league games, with Adam Johnson saving their skins in injury time last Sunday at Sunderland. Under Roberto Mancini, City’s home stats read: P5 W4 D1 LO F10 A1. They have failed to score just once, and picked up four clean sheets in those games.

Current Form

Moyes’ team have been beaten just twice in their last 15 league games, in tough away fixtures at Liverpool and Spurs. Along with Man United and Liverpool, the Toffees are the only side to have won their last six consecutive home games. They have picked up three clean sheets during that period, and have scored at least two goals per game.

Their last six on the road have seen one victory and the two above-mentioned defeats, where, both times, they were beaten by the odd goal in three. Everton have failed to score just once and managed to pick up a clean sheet just once in those six games, scoring two goals twice, and a single goal three times.

Rotation Risk

With Moyes spoilt for choice, Everton’s starting eleven has been unpredictable of late. Midfield, in particular, has been a proverbial minefield. Fellaini’s injury has seen Hetinga move out of defence to defensive midfield, and despite Jagielka’s return, Distin seems nailed-on for starts.

Jack Rodwell impressed when played further forward recently, but the return of Tim Cahill has seen him benched again. Leon Osman is back in this weekend’s squad, having also been out through injury. Bilyaletdinov has featured in just two of the last eight games. Landon Donovan’s return to the MLS has seen Victor Anichebe come out of the cold, and although Louis Saha’s recent injury has given Yakubu more game time, the Frenchman is now fit for the weekend match with Bolton.

In summary? It’s wiser to avoid Everton if you’re looking for “differentials”, with few outside the defence and keeper definite starters.

Potential Targets

Leighton Baines
The left back leads Everton’s assists chart with six so far. Arteta’s return may take away some of his set pieces, but Baines’ forages forward time and again in the recent demolition of Hull suggests there should be more on the way.
Predicted Return: 1 clean sheet

Mikel Arteta
Now pretty much fully fit, his performances have been sublime of late. The last four games -his only full league games of the season- have seen him pick up two goals, two assists and six bonus points, as the Spaniard showed just what Everton have been missing this term.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 clean sheet, 3 Bonus Points

Steven Pienaar
Four assists all season, but more significantly, three have came in the last four games, suggesting the return of Arteta brings an extra dimension to Pienaar’s game. The club’s leading Bonus Point scorer, you would reckon that Arteta may take his share of the spoils, but two bonus points in the Hull game suggest the Spaniard’s effect on Pienaar’s performances may only enhance his chances of impressing the judges.
Predicted Return: 1 assist, 1 clean sheet, 2 Bonus Points.

Tim Cahill
Always liable to grab a goal, and whilst there were fears of his fitness following Cahill’s withdrawal against Birmingham last week after 75 minutes, his inclusion in this weekend’s squad has proved it to be purely a precaution. Playing just behind Saha, supplied by a midfield in fantastic form, he must be amongst the favourites to bag a goal this coming gameweek.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 1 Bonus Point.

Louis Saha/Yakubu
With two goals and an assist in his last three games, Yakubu showed he is just as effective in the lone striker role as Saha, but the Frenchman, with 13 league goals so far, is Moyes’ first-choice forward. Everton might not have so much luck away to Man City, so whoever Moyes gives the nod to for the Bolton game is the one most likely to find the net. This element of doubt may well deter fantasy investment.
Predicted Return: 1 goal.

Previous “Scouting The Doubles”

Aston Villa
Sunderland
Man City
Wolves
Birmingham
Portsmouth
Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea
West Ham