The Big Match Preview: Everton vs Wolves

After what feels like one of the longest international breaks in the history of the beautiful game, this weekend Everton play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers with a rare 3 O’clock kick off on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park.

David Moyes will be no doubt looking to get back to winning ways after the draw at home to Stoke following 5 wins on the spin, hopefully welcoming back Joseph Yobo after he missed the Stoke game with a thigh strain, although his return to the heart of Everton’s defence is not a formality after Johnny Heitinga played arguably his best game in an Everton shirt at centre back in Yobo’s absense.

Stephen Pienaar could also return after he suffered a particularly nasty headbutt to the knee from his international “teammate” Aaron Mokoena in the win down at Portsmouth.  The Goodison faithful will be keen to see the South African playmaker back in the side after seeing the blues struggle to create in the final third after dominating the game against a resolute but clearly beatable Stoke side a fortnight ago, his guile and ability to pick out a pass will be key to breaking down what promises to be a stubborn Wolves defence.

David Moyes should also expect to be able to call upon the services of Marouane Fellaini to face Wolves despite suggestions the appropriately named Dick Advocaat may try to prevent him playing.  Fellaini pulled out of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier (for which Belgium have failed to qualify) against the mighty Estonia to have a troublesome wisdom tooth removed after apparently being given the go ahead to do so by ‘big Dick’ having played in the game against Turkey last Saturday. Everton’s head of PR Ian Ross said: “We were told the player struck an agreement with the Belgium coach. It would appear the manager then changed his mind.”

After reports last week that our ‘Felli had already felt the wrath of big Dick for turning up for training wearing the wrong coloured socks, the Belgian coach’s motives for this latest farce should surely be questioned? – perhaps he still holds a grudge for Everton beating his Zenit St Petersburg side at the old lady in the UEFA cup two seasons ago!!

Louis Saha should continue to lead the Everton line after his prolific start to the season with Yakubu chomping at the bit following some much needed competitive game time with Nigeria during the international break.

Everton fans will also be buoyed by the news today that Phil Jagielka has been given the go – ahead to step up his rehabilitation and should be primed for a return to first team action mid November, other news from the treatment room at Goodison is that Victor Anichebe is close to returning to the first team, however whispers hovering  round the internet forums that he will be involved this weekend are wide of the mark.

Quite what to expect from Wolves on Saturday is more uncertain however after their indifferent start to the season, they have beaten Wigan (away), Fulham (home), drawn with Hull  (home) and lost their other 5 games. They showed some signs of being a decent side despite losing 5-2  to Sunderland recently.

Wolves’ ones to watch are the highly rated centre forward Kevin Doyle, who most will remember from his time in the Premier League with Reading, former blue loanee Segundo Castillo, who will be remembered by Evertonians for his screamer against Liege at Goodison and his immense performance against Chelski in the 0 – 0 draw at Stamford Bridge last season, also keep an eye out for their enormous Cameroon born left back George Elokobi – the sheer size of him would give a killer whale nightmares!

Let us hope that mono-brow muppet featured Mick “I’m Irish me!” McCarthy can continue his dismal record in the Premier League on Saturday – his two  previous campaigns in the 02/03 and the 05/06 seasons with Sunderland ended with relegation, amassing 19 and 15 points respectively.

It is testament to David Moyes and the squad he has established that this is a game that Evertonians will be expecting nothing other than 3 points from and rightly so, the impetus gained from a good home win on Saturday will be priceless as the squad jet off for next weeks big game in Lisbon.

Paddy Power: Everton v Wolves 1st Goalscorer: Tim Cahill 6/1

By David Carroll – Everton Daily’s resident match reporter and previewer