Everton v Blackburn: Toffees to Banish Summer Sadness as Ince Suffers Debut Defeat
Everton have endured a tough summer as prospective signings have failed to materialise, a distinct lack of transfer funds have been made available and the unexpected resignation of their Chief Executive Bill Wyness. However, Toffees fans can look on the bright side, they have a good recent record over this weekend’s opponents Blackburn.
David Moyes’ side are unbeaten in their last 6 League encounters with Blackburn (won 3 & drawn 3). This includes two wins and a draw from their last three games at Goodison Park. They will also face a team with a new manager who’s lost two of the club’s key players last season in Brad Friedel and David Bentley. Therefore, Everton may not have strengthened this summer and may have suffered a number of embarrassing pre-season defeats but they remain a consistent, tried and trusted Premier League outfit.
Premier 10 and Footy 15 players should take note that though the Toffees lost a total of 4 League games at Goodison Park last season, all those defeats came against the top four sides. However, Rovers were one of 4 teams who managed to take a point at Goodison in the last campaign but whether they’ll be the same force they were under Mark Hughes with Paul Ince in charge remains to be seen. After all, the Welshman had brought a number of the current squad to the club and it was very much his team. Press reports of player unrest has led to doubts over Rovers expected performance this season despite Paul Ince’s excellent managerial reputation, albeit in the lower leagues.
A lot will depend on the form and confidence of former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal as his predecessor was a huge figure in the Blackburn side and could prove hard to replace. They’ll continue to be a goal threat with the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy up front, however they may well miss the service provided by Bentley last season from the flank.
Despite the disappointments over the summer for both clubs, I would back the Toffees to get off to a winning start though it may well be worth covering your bet with the draw as it will be a relatively even contest. Also don’t expect this one to be a high scoring affair as the last 9 Premier League games between these two have produced just 10 goals.
Pundit’s Pick: Toffees Take the Points Despite Summer Woes (HOME WIN)
Read our statistical guide to the New Foreign Signings, ‘Home Bankers’ & ‘Away Specialists’.
Read Alan Hansen’s Column here>>
Read Tony Cascarino’s Column here>>
Read John Barnes Column here>>
Find out who has predicted what this week as well as the choices of Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Tony Cascarino, Former Referee Graham Poll, Radio 1 DJ Chappers plus many more: Click here to read>>
Big Match Previews:
Aston Villa v Manchester City: Read Here>>
Arsenal v West Brom: Read Here>>
Bolton v Stoke: Read Here>>
Hull v Fulham: Read Here>>
Middlesbrough v Tottenham: Read Here>>
West Ham v Wigan: Read Here>>
Preston v Crystal Palace: Read Here>>
Sheff Utd v QPR: Read Here>>
Southampton v Birmingham: Read Here>>
Rangers v Hearts: Read Here>>
Bristol City v Derby: Read Here>>
Sunderland v Liverpool: Read Here>>
Chelsea v Portsmouth: Read Here>>
Dundee Utd v Celtic: Read Here>>
Manchester Utd v Newcastle: Read Here>>
Tags: Blackburn, Everton, footy 15, Premier 10, Premier League
