Everton V Leeds United Preview

Everton face a tricky away match against Championship side Leeds United in the 3rd round of the Capital One Cup. Everton will be heading to Elland Road full of confidence after a dominant 3-0 victory at Swansea on the weekend, a result which saw them move to 3rd in the league. For the hosts, it has been a mixed season, however on the weekend they managed a hard fought 2-1 victory, a result which saw them move to 12th in the Championship. Even though Leeds are a division lower than Everton, you would expect a tough game for the visitors and both clubs will be eyeing a spot in the 4th round and hopefully a good cup run.

England international and Everton central defender Phil Jagielka on the upcoming match

"They have got some good players and it is going to be a tough night. If they get the result they want I am sure Neil will be chasing me down for a hug and a handshake. Hopefully we will get the result we want."


New loan signing Michael Tonge is looking forward to the match saying

'I think everyone has just got to look forward to it. It is a tough game because they have started the season really well. We know it is going to be difficult, we are underdogs and we have nothing to lose and if we can perform like we did against Forest, there is no reason why we can`t give a good account of ourselves,'

Despite the season being relative new, Leeds are seemingly walking wounded at the moment. Leeds were without the likes of Paul Green, David Norris, Ross McCormack, Leigh Bromby, Davide Somma and Ramon Nunez with long-term injuries. And the injury list only grew on the weekend against Nottingham Forest with club captain Lee Peltier coming off during the match with an ankle injury, additionally Pearce (ankle) and Drury (knee) picked up knocks during the game ad are 50-50 for the game.

Possible Starting XI: Kenny, Kisnorbo, Lees, Pearce, Drury, Byram, Austin, Tonge, Diouf, Becchio, Poleon

The fan favourite has been in scintillating form for Leeds. Having already notched up 8 goals in all competitions, he will pose the major danger to the Everton goal. If the form book will be anything to go by, you would imagine that chances will be few and far between for the hosts, so if he is given a chance during the match he will need to be clinical in front of goal. Everton defenders will definitely have to keep an eye out for the dangerous Argentinian.

For the visitors, they have received a massive boost with assistant manager Steve Round confirming that frontman Nikica Jelavic, who missed the 3-0 win against Swansea on the weekend with a bruised knee, will be in the squad for the Leeds match. His return will give Moyes some headaches given the form of Anichebe in Jelavic's absence . Injured duo Darron Gibson (thigh) and Tony Hibbert (ankle) will miss the match. Will be interesting to see what kind of line up Moyes will field against Leeds.

Possible Starting XI: Howard, Baines, Heitinga, Distin, Coleman, Osman, Neville, Oviedo, Naismith, Gueye, Anichebe

The Everton striker is finally living up to the hype he had when he was a youngster. With the absence of Jelavic, Anichebe certainly hasn't made the managers job easy scoring twice (should've been 3) in the last 2 games. In fact, this calendar year he has been lethal in front of goal, despite the appearances coming off the bench. The Leeds Utd defenders will be in for a tough night given the lad is a big, physical lad, and if given room, he can score goals.

1. In Everton's 3 away games this season they have amassed 62 shots on goal. This includes the 30 chances they created against Swansea on the weekend.

2. Everton's Victor Anichebe has averaged a goal every 96mins since the start of 2012.

3. The last meeting between these sides came in 2004, the game ended in a 1-1 draw with Rooney and Milner on the scoresheet.

4. Elland Road has not been a pleasant hunting ground for Everton, they have only won twice in the last 43 visits to Elland Road.

5. This will be the first away fixture for Everton in any cup competition since January 2011 against Scunthorpe. Since then they have been drawn at Goodison Park 10 times in a row.

Honestly, it is hard to see anything but an Everton victory. Everton have started the season in fantastic form playing free flowing football and creating chances at will, couple that with the patchy start from Leeds, and more importantly the injury list the team has, it points to an Everton win. However, it will not be easy, you would imagine the fans and the players will provide a tough fight for Everton, however, just think Everton have a bit too much quality for the hosts. I will go for a 3-1 win for Everton with Anichebe continuing his fine form scoring a brace with Naismith adding another and for the hosts Becchio to be on the scoresheet. COYB!!!!! A GOOD CUP RUN IS ALWAYS NICE LADS.

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