Fan Preview: Everton vs Benfica

In Matchday 4 from Group I in the Europa League, Everton lock horns for the second time in the group with Benfica, this time at Goodison Park.

With the blues still reeling from the heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of their Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon a fortnight ago, this game gives David Moyes and his squad the ideal opportunity to exact revenge for what was surely one of the low points of an inconsistent start to the season for Everton.  Since that painful night at the Esadio Da Luz two weeks ago, the blues had suffered two defeats in quick succession going down 2-3 against Bolton in the league and then losing 0-2 at the hands of Spurs in the Carling Cup just over 48 hours later.

Last Saturday’s game had been built up by the media and players alike as a potential turning point in Everton’s season should they pick up all three points against a strong Villa side with Phil Neville issuing a call to arms to supporters and fellow players, while Phil Jagielka also referred to the game as ‘must win’ if the blues were to turn their faltering start to the season around. A much stronger looking Everton side responded well and drew the game 1-1 when they could and probably should have won.

The performance showed some signs that Everton had turned the corner, in hindsight however, the result suggested there is still work to be done.

Everton’s first eleven to face Benfica this Thursday should have a much healthier look to it this time around following the return of Joseph Yobo and Leighton Baines to bolster the defence, Tony Hibbert has recovered from a bout of flu to return to the side in his favoured right back position after his stint at centre half in the first game against Benfica and Dinyar Bilyaletdinov should be available despite his red card against Villa.  Unfortunately the blues will be without the ineligible John Heitinga and Lucas Neill after they both put in arguably the best performances of their fledgling Everton careers so far in Saturday’s draw against Villa.  Tim Cahill was thought to be a doubt for the Benfica clash, however he has since been named in the squad and Louis Saha is unlikely to figure due to the calf strain suffered in the loss at Spurs despite his surprise appearance on the blues bench at the weekend. Stephen Pienaar is still absent along with long term injury victims Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan.

Further injury news this week revealed that the ‘best little Spaniard we know’ Mikel Arteta has suffered another setback in his comeback from the serious knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February, David Moyes confirmed the news no Everton fan wanted to hear in his pre match press conference on Tuesday stating “Mikel has needed to have a ‘wash out’ on his knee after doctors found an infection.  It is a setback for him. However we can’t say how long it has put him back.”  Although no date for his return has been confirmed, it looks as though it could be well into the new year before we see the skillful Spaniard back in the royal blue jersey.

Benfica meanwhile, have no such injury problems following the controversial 2-0 loss to SP Braga in the ‘top of the table’ clash at the weekend and Jorge Jesus could potentially name the same side that beat the blues in the last round of group games.

Although it is without question Benfica deserved their win against the blues a fortnight ago and they are strong footballing team with an abundance of talent, their defeat at the weekend proved they are not unbeatable, in fact they were made to look a much better side than they actually are by a severely weakened and inexperienced Everton side that night in Lisbon and Evertonians will expect the match this week to be a completely different game.

With the return of more senior players, the blues will be a much more balanced side this time round, and with the backing of a raucuos Goodison crowd on a cold November night with a point to prove, Benfica should not underestimate Everton as they pose a real danger to any side visiting Goodison Park regardless of who they are.

Expect fireworks.

Paddy Power: Everton to come from behind and win 10/1

By David Carroll