Carling Cup 3rd Round - Everton v WBA, Match Preview

After an untidy win at the weekend, but a win nevertheless, attentions once again turn to the three handled cup as handbag faced friend of the club Roy Hodgson brings his baggies to town.

Last round, David Moyes fielded a pretty strong side against lesser opposition (with respect) and I expect him to do the same on Wednesday, again not through choice.

We will be looking to continue a decent run of scoring in every game bar the QPR one in looking to better last season's exit at the hands of the mighty Brentford (although every cloud had a silver lining that night, we did have a pint in each of the pubs on the four corners of the ground, and I had £5 on Coleman 1st goal at 33/1). When we win (yes, when) it will be the 7th time in 10 years we have reached the fourth round of the competition and a far cry from the eerie, rainy Tuesday nights drawing away at Oxford United only to be beaten in a replay.

At this stage last season, West Brom took the scalp of money bags FC Denim of Manchester and they will be looking for more of the same following the 3-0 defeat on Saturday against Swansea which sees them bottom of the league. But, we know what they say about the relationship between the league and the cups when it comes to the form book.

We need to show our intentions from the off in this game, pick up a high tempo from the first whistle and show the passing game we showed in glimpses against QPR and Villa, when the opposition couldn't touch us.

Louis Saha won't be involved after he strained his tweet during the warm up on Saturday. Royston Drenthe is in need of some game time and I expect him to start. Other than that we will line up pretty strongly, something like this:

Mucha, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Barkley, Osman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Drenthe, Cahill.

West Brom have lost only three of their last ten away games in all competitions, whereas we have won five of our last seven home games.

The visitors will be without re-signing Zoltan Gera (ankle) and key midfielder Chris Brunt is a doubt (knee)

This will be a good game; one which I think we should (and will) win.

Prediction: 2-1 (bet of the day - HT Away FT Home)

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