Big Match Preview: Benfica vs Everton

With the latest round of Premier League action out of the way, this Thursday sees the welcome distraction of the Europa League as the blues take on Potuguese giants Benfica in their own back yard.

If reports in the local press today are proved to be correct, Everton will be backed by the biggest European exodus of Evertonians for 25 years, with the Blues having officially sold close to five-and-a-half thousand tickets for the eagerly anticipated trip to the Stadium of Light and many other ticketless fans are expected to travel.

The game promises to be an unforgettable experience for Everton Football Club and everybody involved, with the added bonus that should Everton upset the odds and win in Lisbon, then progression to the next stage of the Europa Cup will be all but guaranteed.

With six points already taken from their opening two games in the Europa League against AEK Athens at home and BATE Borisov away in Belarus, David Moyes’ men will be confident of a good result and despite two mildly disappointng draws in the last two home games in the Premier League, Evertonians can take heart from the fact that if it wasn’t due to some wasteful finishing – with the chances Everton created – those draws could and should have resulted in comprehensive victories.

This is the second fixture of seven to be played in a congested 23 days for Everton, with a tough away trip to Bolton this coming Sunday, followed by another awayday at Spurs the following Wednesday in the Carling Cup and David Moyes will be hoping to keep all his available players fit for the duration of this hectic schedule.

Long term absentees Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville and Victor Anichebe will be unavailable for the Benfica game, John Heitinga is cup-tied and Lucas Neill is ineligible. With the substitute allocation for Europa League games extended to seven available subs, expect to see fringe players Dan Gosling, Kieran Agard and Seamus Coleman at the very least occupying the Everton bench.

Stephen Pienaar is unlikely to be risked after missing Everton’s last three games, he was quoted on the club’s official site today as saying ” The Benfica match could be one game too soon but I am taking it day-by-day. At the moment I am struggling with running so I may have to wait until it feels stronger. Unfortunately though sometimes injuries happen in football and now I have to climb the ladder again to regain my fitness. I know I will then have to fight for my place back in the team.” Get well soon Stephen, with the blues inability to break opponents down in the last couple of games and a timescale on Mikel’s long-awaited return to action still unclear, your place in the team has never seemed so safe!

The Eagles warmed up for Thursday’s game by brushing aside second division side GDR Monsanto 6-0 in the 3rd round of the Portuguese Cup and they are also flying high (no pun intended) in the Portuguese league, currently lying second in the table with nineteen points after seven games, two points behind leaders Sporting Braga and they can also boast an impressive +20 goal difference.

Benfica’s squad contains some familiar names to Evertonians with the amusingly named Quim in goal, former Everton target Luisao at centre back, the ageing but still dangerous Pablo Aimar pulling strings in midfield and former Portugal striker Nuno Gomez parnered by Argentina international Javier Saviola up front.

The only real injury concern for Benfica ahead of the tie against Everton is Brazilian loan striker Keirrison who hasn’t trained at all this week, with another of their Brazilian contingent Weldon set to deputise in his place.

Those lucky enough to be in attendence on Thursday will be treated prior to the game by Benfica’s club mascot eagle (named Vitoria) which apparantly circles above the stadium of light before every game as the fans inside go wild, as well as a half time show from ‘the beautiful Benfica cheerleaders’.

Those unlucky enough not to be in attendence for whatever reason and watching at home can look forward to a typically underwhelming build up from ESPN with half time match analysis from Ray Stubbs and studio “expert”.

Using the old cliche, this is one of those games that can go either way, Everton have nothing to fear going into this game regardless of the fact their Portuguese opponents have scored an incredible 37 goals in only 12 games this season. They were beaten 1-0 by the same AEK Athens side thrashed 4-0 by Everton in an earlier group game of the Europa League and should, as expected, Benfica play attacking passing football, they could well fall right into Everton’s hands – although it’s anybody’s guess how David Moyes will set up his team for the clash.

In the last 48 hours David Moyes has stated that his Blues side are not playing anywhere near the level he expects from his team and this could either prove a masterstroke or his downfall in what is proving to be an intriguing contest.

By David Carroll