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2006-11-08 - Everton vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Everton have beaten Arsenal three times in the last six games at Goodison Park, and against Arsene Wenger's young reserve filled side they can be backed to do it again.EVERTON
Everton manager David Moyes doesn't have the luxury of resting most of his first team, and many of the players who lost 1-0 to Fulham on Saturday will be required to front up again.
David Weir has been given the all-clear to return to the Everton squad following a head injury. Nuno Valente could be in contention after recovering from a groin injury, but Gary Naysmith is still out.
As Everton look to be pretty much at full strength - we should at their home record this season :
Everton Home Form
21/10/06 W 2-0 v Sheff_Utd
30/09/06 D 1-1 v Man_City
16/09/06 D 2-2 v Wigan
09/09/06 W 3-0 v Liverpool
19/08/06 W 2-1 v Watford
ARSENAL
Despite the loss to West Ham on Sunday (or may be because of it) Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is expected to give his young players another chance to impress.
The Carling Cup has not ever been a serious target for Wenger during his 10 years at Arsenal, and he routinely sends out a team of young professionals who are seeking to make a name for themselves - or who are battling back from injury.
Philippe Senderos is set to start in defence as he looks to regain match fitness, while Denilson and Jeremie Aliadiere should also feature.
SQUADS FOR THE GAME
Everton look to be taking this competition seriously, as their only real chance of silverware this season and have a strong squad.
Everton : Howard, Neville, Stubbs, Lescott, Weir, Valente, Davies, Beattie, Osman, Carsley, Cahill, Arteta, Johnson, Anichebe, Turner, McFadden, Hughes.
Arsenal looked a little tired at Upton Park on Sunday against West Ham, and with key games against Liverpool (Premier League) and Hamburg (Champions Leauge) in the next 7 days are fielding a distincly second string side.
Arsenal : Almunia, Connolly, Senderos, Djourou, Clichy, Flamini, Song, Denilson, Randall, Walcott, Adebayor, Traore, Aliadiere, Poom, O'Cearuill, Simpson, Hoyte, Eboue.
THE VERDICT
The Toffees are building a solid team and are a match for any side at Goodison Park - and so should be much stronger favourites for this game against a youthful Arsenal team.
Of course young Arsenal "can" surprise - there is a lot of talent in that line-up - but the odds are stacked against it here.
I cannot believe that these prices will last for Everton - I'd expected to see something like 4/5 (1.80) - and I expect that we will see a dive in prices once the word on the Arsenal squad gets out.
The Pick :
Everton 2-1 Arsenal (maybe 1-1 at 90 mins)
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll play EVERTON on the 1x Double chance bet - that has a very good chance of returning a profit.(the best way to do it is to back both Everton and the Draw at Mansion Exchange to get a 40%+ payout.)
Or punters prepared to take a bigger risk can get EVERTON to win at a great price (although it is not a banker)
