Blackpool v Everton - Match preview

Everton head to the seaside on Saturday!  Though as it is Blackpool on a cold, English November afternoon it isn´t as glamourous as it sounds.....

The game represents a great chance for the Toffess to consoldate their position in the top half of the table and with a game against Bolton to come on Wednesday they could find themselves in the top four by the time Arsenal arrive next Sunday.

But credit has to go to Blackpool, if they win at Bloomfield Road they go three points above us, testiment to the  job Ina Holloway has done this season. His bold, attacking approach has reaped rewards and is a refreshing change to the dour, agreesive tactics we usually see from smaller teams (like Stoke last week!).

Despite that we can be confident of going there and taking the points. We have shored upá at the back mainly due to Jagielka and a up tunr in form by Sylvain Distin. I have to admit I have never been a big fan of the Frenchman, I ´m not sure why he just has never convinced me he isa good enough. However, after a shocking game against Man United in September, when he was responsible for all thre United goals, his form has been superb.

Another mention has to go to Yakubu, I was delighted for him last week as he deserved a goal for his performances in recent weeks. The challenge for him now is to keep that form going and go on a goalscoring run.

As far as team news is concerned Leon Osman is to be out for a further six weeks fater having an operation on his ankle but Jack Rodwell should be fit to start after returing to the bench last week. Marouane Fellaini and Victor Anichebe are still out.

As ever leave your comments, thoughts, predictions below.

p.0.s a shout out has to go to another local team of mine, Southport, who take on Sheffield Wednesday in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday - Go the Sandgrounders!!

Match facts from the BBC

Head-to-head

• Everton are unbeaten in their last five games against Blackpool.

• The last league match between the sides ended in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on 24 April 1971.

• Everton's games have produced the fewest Premier League goals this season (18), while Blackpool's have yielded the most (36).

Blackpool

• Ian Holloway's men have lost five of the six league games in which their opponents scored first, drawing the other. They have won all four matches in which they opened the scoring.

• The Seasiders have netted seven goals in their four Premier League games at Bloomfield Road.

• They have scored in each of their last 28 home games in all competitions. The last time they failed to score at Bloomfield Road was a 0-0 draw with Derby on 18 August 2009.

• Luke Varney has committed more fouls (22) without being booked than any other Premier League player this season, according to Opta.

Everton

• David Moyes' men are unbeaten in five league games.

• They have won 152 fouls, more than any other Premier League side.

• It is 34 games since Everton lost a top-flight match by more than one goal (a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last November).

• Tim Cahill is one goal short of 50 in the Premier League.