Scouting the Doubles – Everton

Reading’s surprise 1-0 FA Cup win at Goodison Park on Tuesday evening gave the green light to yet another double gameweek, with Everton now facing two league games in the next seven days. Having beaten holders Chelsea in the previous round, David Moyes’ side were odds-on favourites to progress, but a thoroughly downbeat Toffees boss admitted post-match:

”We let the supporters down, we didn’t play well enough and we got what we deserved. We had to chase the game and got more desperate as the game went on and we didn’t have enough to open them up. “

Moyes will be looking for a big response from his side, then, as they travel to St James’ Park this Saturday afternoon before facing Carling Cup holders Birmingham City at Goodison next Wednesday evening.

The Prospects

Everton’s 2-0 win over Sunderland last weekend will no doubt have Fantasy Managers mulling over defensive options but it’s really only papered over the cracks of their defensive fragility; they have chalked up just two clean sheets in their last seventeen league games, Sunderland match inclusive. Before the game with Steve Bruce’s side, Everton had played seven league matches since the turn of the year and conceded two or more goals in six of them.

Despite a poor showing this season, the competitive nature of the Premier League means Everton’s season still hangs in the balance; a win at Newcastle would leave them just three points behind sixth-placed Merseyside rivals Liverpool but, on the other hand, Moyes’ side sit just five points above the drop zone. As Arsenal recently discovered, winning at St James’ Park is not at all straightforward and Alan Pardew has suffered just one loss in the last nine league games as Newcastle boss. Everton have only averaged one goal per game away from home, too.

Birmingham approach their own double gameweek just two points off the drop zone, albeit with two games in hand over their relegation rivals. With the Carling Cup win under their belt, Alex McLeish’s side will be fired up for the Goodison visit and will be looking to replicate the form that has seen them win two of their last three on the road. Despite their poor FA Cup showing, Everton have been in good scoring form at home of late, netting two or more goals in each of their last four home league games.

The Likely Lads

The number of assists Leighton Baines racks up negates his lack of clean sheets; the left-back has managed nine already this season, the sixth highest total in the league. Put into perspective, the second highest number of assists by a defender is four. Factor his set-piece duties into the equation, and it’s no real surprise that Baines is the fourth highest-scoring defender in FPL to date.

Moyes’ decision to field Seamus Coleman as a right midfielder has allowed the young Irishman to garner attacking points (3 goals, 3 assists) which, like Baines, means he hasn‘t suffered too badly from the minimal defensive returns. The fact that he’s over £2m cheaper than Baines sees Coleman with the higher ownership of the two. Having been hauled off on 45 minutes of the Reading Cup tie however, there is a nagging doubt that Coleman will start in both of Everton’s two fixtures – he is certainly overdue a rest.

In light of injuries to Marouanne Fellaini and Tim Cahill, the onus is firmly on Mikel Arteta to step up and be counted, following a disappointing season for the Spaniard; although he’s missed just four league games this season, Arteta has picked up just 81 FPL points. Despite this, plenty investment will surely follow, with Fantasy Managers pinning their hopes on the playmaker’s shoulders.

There’s no doubting the quality of Louis Saha -he’s grabbed six goals in his last five league games- but the Frenchman’s inability to steer clear makes him an infuriating Fantasy Option. Following a slow start to his career on Merseyside, Jermaine Beckford has started to show a consistency in the top-flight (he’s scored four in his last five league games) and priced at just £5.0m, could be a real bargain if he continues his recent form. We just have to hope that the traffic doesn’t hold him up.

Cheeky Punts

Victor Anichebe’s return from injury gives Everton a couple of options; he can provide competition for Seamus Coleman for that right midfield slot but, alternatively, injuries to Everton’s attacking options may see Anichebe find some time up front. Everton lined up in a 4-5-1 for the Reading game but Moyes has been fielding 4-4-2 lately, and if either Saha or Beckford (or both) miss either (or both) of the upcoming games, he could be the beneficiary.

If Moyes’ front two are fit and available, however, Jack Rodwell could also be an alternative choice; with the Toffees central midfield so depleted at present, there’s every likelihood he’ll take part in both games and offer potential low the price bracket. Leon Osman is another risky temptation – he fired in more efforts on goal than any of Everton’s midfield against Sunderland and set up three goalscoring efforts for team-mates.