Friday, April 13, 2012

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14.04. (Sat) 13:30 Liverpool - Everton

EPL - Everton v Tottenham Hotspur, Nikica Jelavic
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PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL

JonesJohnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Henderson, Gerrard, Spearing, MaxiSuarez, Carroll
EVERTON

HowardHibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Drenthe, Gibson, Fellaini, Osman
Cahill
Jelavic

Liverpool have something of a goalkeeping crisis as first choice Pepe Reina and back-up Doni are both suspended for the game at Wembley. That means Brad Jones should start in goal with the recalled Peter Gulacsi taking his place on the bench.

Martin Kelly is expected to be fit for Saturday's game but Glen Johnson is also on the road to recovery having played 50 minutes away at Blackburn as they compete for the right-back slot.

Further forward, Lucas Leiva remains a long-term absentee whilst Charlie Adam is not expected to be passed fit following a knee injury.

Everton have far fewer concerns and only Jack Rodwell is out through injury as he continues to battle recurring hamstring troubles.

David Moyes is without Steven Pienaar though, who is cup-tied after playing for Tottenham in the FA Cup earlier this year.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Liverpool versus Everton is the most played semi-final fixture in the history of the FA Cup
  • However, on all three occasions that Liverpool have beaten Everton in the semi-final, they have gone on to lose the final.
  • The Reds have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 competitive games.
  • This will be Liverpool's 23rd FA Cup semi-final. They have made it to the final 13 times.
  • Just three sides have win the League Cup and FA Cup in the same campaign: Arsenal (1992/93), Liverpool (2000/01) and Chelsea (2006/07).
  • Everton have been eliminated at the semi-final stage 11 times - more than any other club in the history of the competition.
  • Amazingly, the Toffees have made the final of the FA Cup the last six times they have reached the semi-finals.
  • Everton won the first FA Cup clash between the two sides in 1906 but Liverpool have triumphed in the other three semi-finals.
  • This will be Liverpool's 23rd FA Cup semi-final. They have made it to the final 13 times.
  • Nikica Jelavic has made an impressive start to his Goodison Park career, scoring five in his first 10 games - including once in the FA Cup already.
Prediction
History says Liverpool will win, FA Cup omens send a mixed message, whilst my head thinks it is going to be Everton's day. I do not think we saw the real Toffees in their 3-0 Anfield loss and on neutral soil, I predict a Moyes triumph.  
Editor's Prediction
Liverpool 1-2 Everton