BLACKBURN v EVERTON - TOFFEES DROP POINTS IN RACE FOR FOURTH PLACE?
The Toffees are unbeaten in the last 5 League encounters with Blackburn (won 3) and haven’t lost on their last 3 visits to Ewood Park (1 win). Neither club has been particularly active in the transfer market this January though David Moyes managed to bring in youngster Dan Gosling from Plymouth and playmaker Manuel Fernandes for a second loan spell. He also managed to make a tidy profit from the sale of bit-part player James McFadden to Birmingham in the process, so good work all round. Rovers haven’t signed a single player yet but did manage to shake off reported interest in manager Mark Hughes from Newcastle.
Both sides are in strong positions for a Uefa Cup place at least, though 4th place looks a major possibility for a number of clubs with the Toffees currently holding pole position. Everton may have crashed out of both domestic cups in January but their League results in 2008 have been impressive with a run of 4 matches unbeaten (3 wins) This run includes 2 away victories at Middlesbrough and Wigan. The Uefa Cup campaign could become a distraction for the Toffee’s quest for a top 4 finish but with a seemingly comfortable 2-legged tie against Norwegian side Brann coming up, Moyes’ team shouldn’t be too overstretched. Their away form is superb with just 1 defeat in the last 7 matches. That defeat came courtesy of a last minute Cristiano Ronaldo penalty at Old Trafford. This impressive away run includes wins at Derby, West Ham, Boro and Wigan, as well as draws at Chelsea and Portsmouth. So Ewood Park is a venue that will hardly intimidate Moyes’ men.
Rovers are unbeaten in the last 6 Premier League matches (won 3) but have a relatively poor recent home record of 2 wins in the last 7 games (3 defeats). In fact, their only win from the last 4 home games came against relegation threatened Sunderland. Goal scoring has been a problem for Rovers too despite a strike force boasting the talents of the Paraguayan punisher Roque Santa Cruz, South African sensation Benni McCarthy, England U21 star Matt Derbyshire and well, Jason Roberts. Rovers have failed to score in 4 of their last 7 games at Ewood Park and Everton are a strong defensive outfit so don’t expect a goal-fest.
This match looks set for a draw, just like the encounter at Goodison earlier this season so back a point apiece on Premier 10 as both sides lose ground in the race for 4th place.
Pundit’s Pick: All square at Ewood Park (draw)
