Article: Everton vs Swansea Preview & Matchday Thread|Football, Swansea City, Everton

[Scottswan]

...............................................
Everton................................... vs ...................... Swansea City
Goodison Park
Liverpool
Referee Lee Probert
Sat 21-12-11 20:00 PM KO

For links to watch the game online, click HERE

Welcome one and all to the match thread for the game between Everton and Swansea City. Both sets of fans come into this game dreaming of more goals, but unless form goes out the window, this game is likely to be a predictably low-scoring affair. The last time these sides met in the league was in the old Division 1, on the 26 February 1983, where we shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Their last respective fixture this side of Christmas, both sides will no doubt be looking to wake up on the 25th with three extra points next to their name.

The Match;

Everton are looking for the first win at home in what will be 3 attempts by the time of kick off. Whereas last season, they only surrendered to defeat 3 times on home soil during the entire season, this season, defeat has come in 3 of the last 5 home games, so things need to improve. They showed their fighting spirit to come from behind against Norwich (something they're becoming adept at) but will be looking to get an early goal tonight.

Swansea , well, regardless of performance, taken great confidence from a draw (and clean sheet) at St James Park. A clean sheet there, and another at Liverpool, means the Swans are finding their feet on the road and that elusive first away win will surely not be too far away.

Prior Form; (most recent at top)

Everton 1 - 1 Norwich City Premier League
Arsenal 1 -0 Everton Premier League
Everton 0 - 1 StokePremier League
Bolton 0 - 2 Everton Premier League
Everton 2 - 1 Wolves Premier League

Newcastle Utd 0 - 0 Swansea City Premier League
Swansea City 2 -0 Fulham Premier League
Blackburn Rovers 4 - 2 Swansea City Premier League
Swansea City 0 -0 Aston Villa Premier League
Swansea City 0 -1 Manchester United Premier League

Team News

For the Swans, Rangel comes back into contention but Dyer will likely miss out after picking up a knock at Newcastle.

Everton will be without Anichebe, Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell for the fixture.

Trivia; - "Courtesy" of Opta

• Swansea have never beaten Everton
  
• Three of the four draws Swansea have earned have come at Goodison Park, where their record is W0 D3 L4).
  
• Everton and Swansea have met 13 times in all competitions and the Toffees have never lost (W9 D4 L0).
  
• Everton have not kept a clean sheet in any of their 11 home games this season in all competitions.
  
• Everton lost just five Premier League games at Goodison Park between 2009-10 and 2010-11, but have already lost four this term.
  56% of the goals that Everton have scored have been netted in the final 15 minutes, a divisional high.
  
• Michel Vorm has kept more clean sheets (8) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League.
  
• Everton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League games.
  
• Swansea have kept four clean sheets in their last six Premier League games but also failed to score in four of their last six matches.
  
• Swansea have the worst away record in the Premier League, with just three points on the road to date.
  
• Swansea have failed to score in more matches this season than any other team in the top flight (8).

Completely guessed lineups;

Everton

Howard

Baines
Hibbert
Jagielka
Heitinga

Drenthe
Osman
Neville
Fellaini

Cahill

Saha

Swansea

Vorm

Richards
Taylor
Williams
Caulker

Britton
Augustien
Allen

Sinclair
Routledge

Graham

Key Battles;

Tim Cahill vs Ash Williams

Cahill is due a goal. Soon. From being almost prolific, he's unbelievably gone 24 games without scoring and will fancy his chances against the shortest side in the PL. Ashley Williams, however, has shown he loves a physical challenge and combined with Steven Caulker they're a formidable physical presence who can also play a bit. Cahill will have his work cut out but he's shown he has the quality to make things happen.

Analysis;

So, turns out I did have time before work!

Everton are clearly strong in defence and midfield, and this is how most Swans fans view our own team. The problem may be that if Swansea allow themselves to think they can match their opponents in these departments, Everton's quality will likely show through. Players like Fellaini and Tim Cahill are standout names, but Royston Drenthe is another dangerman who will need to be watched. It's a shame Nathan Dyer is unavailable as his discipline in tracking back would have been very handy against such a tricky winger.

In midfield, I'm expecting Augustien to start for the Swans after an impressive half against Newcastle. His physicality could prove essential in dealing with Phil Neville and Fellaini, who will no doubt harass the Swansea midfield. Up front Everton are likely to have Saha supported out wide by Osman and Drenthe. Drenthe hasn't seemed to gain the trust of Moyes for away matches, but at home he'll need the former Real Madrid man to bomb on and create problems for the Swansea right back (either an inexperienced Jazz Richards, or a returning-from-injury Angel Range) - he'll fancy that. Saha is a tricky player to deal with, although he has been off the boil for a while. He does have quality though, and can't be allowed space to turn and shoot as he does have a good left foot on him and has an impressive range. It will be vital for Richards and Taylor to eliminate the supply to him if Swansea are going to get a result.

Danny Graham will more than likely continue to lead the line against Jagielka & Heitinga, and will need the support of his wingers. Tony Hibbert at right back doesn't possess great pace and it's likely Swansea will look to Scott Sinclair to exploit that early on, trying to get in behind his man and cause problems for the Everton defence. Routledge on the other side will be up against Leighton Baines, and this is a different proposition. Baines and Drenthe between them offer considerable attacking threat, and Routledge will need to do his share of the "ugly" work tomorrow to aid his teams cause. If he can do this, and Swansea can nab possession while Everton have men committed upfield, Swansea can hit them on the counter. I feel the Swansea team has more pace than the Everton linup, and the Swans need to learn to use their pace to play on the counter away from home.

Both teams are adept at playing possession football, but both teams have at times been labelled as teams who have no end product. It's a cop out to say this game will be won by a "moment of individual brilliance" and, accordingly, I don't think that'll be the case. Both sides need the points, and both sides will be trying to win the game, and will be aware that the teams are very equally matched, so I think we could see a very interesting tactical battle. Sinclair should get at Hibbert early doors and the Swans need to press Jagielka and Heitinga. If it gets drawn into a "battle of possession" it's easy to imagine it'll end in a 0-0 draw, which would, no doubt, be more of a result for the Swans than it would for Everton! Still, let's hope that's not the case and that both teams put on a good display of attacking football.

Iechyd Da.

Scott

[No1 superswan]

L10 boyhood team everton play his old team Swansea today and he will be in the stands cheering on..SWANSEA....lee says i have been an everton supporter all my life but ever since i came to Swansea and met the fans and enjoyed the club then i fell in love with Swansea and they are the team i will always support. i love everton also but today i want my old club Swansea to win........great guy and still loyal to the club.....

[Knackeredjack]

It's weird but I'm strangely optimistic though it'll probably be a 0-0 draw and I'd take that.

[DragonPhilljack]

I fancy us to get a good result tonight, going for a 2-1 win to the mighty Swans!..............

[Crackerjack]

Swans 2 - Everton 0 .... Agustien & Graham . Need an away 3 pointer for confidence and think the boys will come up big today

[Scottswan]

Boom! Quick shower then working until 9. Hopefully I'll get back in time to watch a bit of the second half! Come on you Jacks!

[Yankee_Jack]

Good job as usual ScottSwan.

Everybody goes on about Agustien's physicality; but I just don't see him as being anything more physical than the average Prem player in that regard .... he's just a lot bigger than our other minnows in midfield. Am I missing something.

[Scottswan]

I think you've got it bang on in fairness. It's not that he's hugely physical, it's just he's our most physical midfielder. Sometimes we may need to match up to other teams a little more do you think?

[DragonPhilljack]

Scotty your matchday thread is on newsnow, your getting famous my boy!...............


Anyway down to business, we need our wingers to be ready from the start, and we need them on the counter attack in particular, which is something that did not happen at Newcastle, so I'm hoping that both Routledge and Sinclair can put in a decent shift tonight, and for goodness sake don't over cook the attack round the box, we need the early decisive killer pass for once, so that Graham can get the quality service he deserves, if we can do this I fancy us to take all three points, come on you Swans! going to be a great game...................

[HonkyJack]

i'm feeling quietly optimistic too, i reckon we're due a decent performance and tonight could be it. i certainly hope so because i'm off to bed now and will be setting my alarm for the 4am kick off, up the jacks!

[Yankee_Jack]

... Sometimes we may need to match up to other teams a little more do you think?

Either that or when we play "small" we have to play at a faster tempo - think sharper, move the ball faster, move faster off the ball - because if you're small the best way to combat a physical opposition is not to be there when the physical arrives.

[DragonPhilljack]

Don't expect any Toffee's on here lads, their board is as dead as a graveyard, thought the Wigan board was bad enough!..............

R.I.P. TOFFEE'S

[Knackeredjack]

Good job as usual ScottSwan.

Everybody goes on about Agustien's physicality; but I just don't see him as being anything more physical than the average Prem player in that regard .... he's just a lot bigger than our other minnows in midfield. Am I missing something.

Unlike our other midfielders I've never see him muscled off the ball. All relative I suppose.

[bigkidderz]

Agustien is our most physical midfielder, but I do agree with the fact that he's still no Roy Keane/Patrick Viera. Like Pratley last year, he gives us a bit more solidarity, but also takes away some of the fast feet and quick thinking. I feel that if we are going to play him, he needs to start chipping in with some assists and/or goals to prove his worth. If this 'physicality' doesn't add to our ability to get results, I'd rather stick with Gower to be honest. I hope he starts, as it would be nice to see him play and get a good look at him. I don't think it's fair to judge him on his starts at the start of the season, and since his injury he's not had another chance from kick off. I'm still pessimistic on his ability and input, but would like to see more of him before the transfer window to be sure.

Got to say, can't wait for the game! I'm off tomorrow and got a 4 pack of Bud in the fridge! The fact that my day has been a bit stressful is somehow adding to the excitement - Come on you Swans!

[bonymaenjack]

http://www.realtvsport.com/channel-5.php

link for tonight ,for those who can't / haven't travelled

[neveroffsidereff]

Fancy us getting a result tonight 2-1 to The Swans.

[Crackerjack]

Bit surprised at Agustien & Rangel riding the bench , certainly not unhappy just a bit surprised . Gower looked a bit tired last time out but maybe Buck can't get past Gower's European stat record & assist rate . Agustien was Buck's first choice till he got injured also .

[No1 superswan]

WOW take your time gower you would have had an instant red there if it was any other ref.....

[JackAsh]

Can't see anything but an Everton win at the moment. Newcastle and now Everton dominating us.

[Crackerjack]

I've seen better halves Lol !!