In-form Reds face a tough test against confident
Toffees who beat Chelsea last time out...
Form guide: After a difficult start to
the season, David Moyes’ men have found form and are moving
steadily up the table. They now lie in 9th place with defeats to
Liverpool (League) and Birmingham (FA Cup) being the only blots on
their copybook in 2010. They will be buoyed by victories over
Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon in their last two games. The Reds are
aiming to stretch an unbeaten run in the league to nine games,
and it would be foolish to bet against Sir Alex's men after some
impressive results against Milan, Man City, Portsmouth and Arsenal
in recent weeks.
Ins and outs: Marouane Fellaini has been ruled out
for the rest of the season - and reportedly requires surgery
- after picking up an ankle injury in the Merseyside Derby
nearly a fortnight ago. Another star midfielder, Tim Cahill, is a
doubt having suffered a calf strain in Tuesday’s win over Sporting
Lisbon. More positively for the Toffees, Spaniard Mikel Arteta is
fit again after a long lay-off. The Reds are without the suspended
Nani and Rio Ferdinand, while Nemanja Vidic is doubtful after
failing to travel to Milan in midweek, and Ryan Giggs is out
until next month after fracturing his arm against Villa.
Star man: Ex-Red Louis Saha is bang in form having
found a new lease of life at Goodison Park. He has hit 15 goals
this season, including both strikes in Everton’s 2-1 victory over
Chelsea. A handful for defenders, the Frenchman has the flair to
match his strength and ability to hold up the ball.
Manager: Moyes has worked wonders on Merseyside
and, despite a shaky start this term, he has hauled Everton up the
table. Under his stewardship Everton are now considered one of the
Premier League’s strongest teams. The fiery Scot is also one of the
longest-serving managers in the top flight having joined in
2002.
Referee: Howard Webb was last in charge of a
United game in the Reds' Carling Cup semi-final second leg win
over City at Old Trafford. The man from South Yorkshire has dished
out four red cards in 29 games this season and was last at Goodison
Park for the Toffees FA Cup defeat to Birmingham. His last game
between Saturday’s two teams ended in a 2-1 victory for the Reds at
OT back in December 2007.
Rivals watch: The Reds are first up on Saturday
lunchtime, with Arsenal (home to Sunderland) and
Chelsea (away at Wolves) both playing at 15:00
GMT. Aston Villa host Burnley and
Tottenham travel to Wigan on Sunday, with the most
intriguing fixture of the weekend being between Manchester
City and Liverpool at Eastlands, also on
Sunday.
