Everton v Birmingham City: Big Eck hopes to make it another Blue day for the Moyes

Birmingham City could enter Christmas in sixth spot with victory today over Everton but history is not on their side. The Blues have failed to beat the Toffees in the Premier League in six attempts and haven’t won at Goodison Park since 1957. However, this is a Blues’ side in a purple patch while Everton’s torrid luck with injuries shows no sign of letting up.

Alex McLeish’s men head to Merseyside on the back of a five-game winning run and haven’t lost since Arsenal beat them at the Emirates nine games ago. Birmingham’s success has been built on a rock solid defensive line and now that McLeish has adopted a 4-4-2 approach the goals have flowed. Birmingham held Everton’s city rivals Liverpool to a draw last month on Merseyside so they will head up the M6 with no fears.

Everton go into the game on the back of two morale boosting results against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Everton may not be having the best of campaigns this season but there is nothing wrong with their fighting spirit. They will be full of confidence after gaining a point and scoring three at the Bridge last weekend and David Moyes will expect his men to end Birmingham’s fantastic run.

The Toffees are just one point off the relegation zone but a win today could see them climb to 12^th. However, the majority of the Panel sees this game ending as a draw.

Everton v Birmingham City; Kick Off 3pm 20 Dec 2009

Prediction Panel

Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Chris Cox : 2 - 2
Graham Enwright : 1 - 2
Sue Gardener : TBC
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 2
Peter Rendle : 2 - 2
Dan Taylor : TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : 1 - 1
Mark Williams : TBC

Panel Verdict

This looks to have draw written all over it.

Home: 2; Draw: 10; Away: 2; TBC: 6.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!