Everton v Blackburn Rovers: Can Rovers continue their climb up the table?
Blackburn gave their hopes of completing the Great Escape II a huge lift last weekend with an inspired win over Fulham at Ewood Park. Reduced to 10 men following Yakubu's early sending off, Steve Kean's men showed real heart and spirit to defeat the Cottagers and move out of the bottom three. But can they move further away from the drop zone this weekend with a win over Everton?
The Toffees were held to a draw at Villa Park last weekend and are seven points clear of the relegation places, but David Moyes hasn't seen his side win in the Premier League since New Year's Day at West Brom. And you have to go back to before Christmas for their last league success in front of their own fans (1-0 v Swansea.)
Everton have been in control of the last two meetings. Mikael Arteta scored a late penalty in an incident-packed match in August, while Leon Osman and Leighton Baines sealed the points for the Merseysiders at Goodison last season. Can they win only their fourth home game of the season and pile the pressure back on Steve Kean?
Blackburn haven't won at Goodison Park since the opening day of the 2008/09 season when Paul Ince led them to a 3-2 win. That relationship didn't end well. Kean will be hoping a win here will ease the tension between himself and the fans.
Rovers have beaten Arsenal, Manchester United, Swansea and Fulham this season. Will Everton join that list? Our pundits are not convinced.
Everton v Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 3pm January 21 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Everton are backed for the points.
Home: 20; Draw: 9; Away: 4. TBA 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
