Three games without a win, a number of key players playing well below par and Essien missing through injury. On the other hand Everton are also on pretty poor form and we, well put frankly, are better than them (now that is what I call a detailed analysis)

The team pretty much picks itself with the exception of who gets selected out of Joe, Deco or Malouda. Having said that it could be two from three if Ballack plays as the holding midfielder instead of Mikel.

I am pretty sure Mikel will start...we need him to counter the combative nature of their midfield. Ballack will most probably start too for the same reason. The question is between Deco, Joe Cole and Malouda. My money is on Joey.

I would like to see Malouda start for this, but it's more likely we'll see him come on from the bench. I'm confident Ivanovic can deal with the threat of Leighton Baines and Stephen Pienaar down the left, but I think Fellaini is going to have a field day with Mikel, sadly. I think a bit of magic from Drogba will seal a 1-0 win, but it will be very, very tough.

---------------Cech

Ivanovic - Riccy -- JT - Ash

---------------Mikel

---Ballack---------Lampard

-------------J. Cole

------Anelka------Drogba

Subs:

Hilario

Belletti

Zhirkov

Alex

Deco

Malouda

Ferreira/Kakuta

(A lot of Carlo's benches in important games have had a baffling lack of diversity. While I'd like to see Borini get a spot on the bench, I've always noticed Ancelotti put Ferreira or Kakuta in when we already have Belletti and Deco to cover those positions).

everton have been awful most of this season but after the last couple of weeks we can't afford to take anything for granted. weve just had 2 defeats and a draw in 3 diff competitions which isn't exactly clever is it? so i just hope we treat this seriously and dont act like we just need to turn up to get another 3 points because if we do we could be in for another nasty surprise.

I understand that Everton are down to the bare bones defensively so hopefully Drogba will enjoy himself.

Also Cahill is suspended - which is a huge bonus for us.

(A lot of Carlo's benches in important games have had a baffling lack of diversity.)

Totally agree with that , there is no good reason to have 3 fullbacks on the bench, if Zhirkov is there we only need one of Beletti/Paulo as well. Substitutions change matches in your favour so the right blend is essential.

What I'd like to see:

-----------------Cech

Ivanovic-Carvalho-Terry-A.Cole

J. Cole-Ballack-Lampard-Malouda

------------Anelka-Drogba

Doubt it will happen though. I'm sure we'll see Mikel or Deco, or both, start the game.

Very impoartant game, and maybe a must win to get our spirits up again.

It could be something like:

No1 Gk

Ivanoic JT Alex Cole

Mikel Ballack lampard Malouda

Anelka Drogba

I watched Everton a few times, a long ball team without much pace upfront or outwide. Alex should be picked to counter the aerial thread of Cahill and that dude with really bad hair.

I wanted to see Cahill play :P

Ah well, at least there won't be memories of his bicycle leveller a couple of years ago.

Basically, we must win this. Need to regain some confidence after 3 poor results.

A Drogba hat-trick would be very welcome...

I know it won't happen but I'd start Zhirkov on the right midfield position to play alongside Ashley and see how they combine together. We're so desperately narrow and teams starting to get wise to our tactics.With either Joe or Deco at the tip of the diamond the other two positions should probably go to Lampard and Ballack.

I know it won't happen but I'd start Zhirkov on the right midfield position to play alongside Ashley and see how they combine together. We're so desperately narrow and teams starting to get wise to our tactics.With either Joe or Deco at the tip of the diamond the other two positions should probably go to Lampard and Ballack.

I agree and play either joe or flo malouda at the tip

Malouda's got to get a start particularly after his destruction of Hibbert down their right side in the final last year. Know it's a different system and season, but hopefully the confidence he would take in against Everton could give us a lift, because as he proved under Guus last year he isn't entirely useless as we all thought, and he can be a game breaker when playing well.

For me:

----------------Cech----------------

Ivanovic--Carvalho--JT--A.Cole

-------------- Mikel------------------

-----Ballack----------Malouda-----

--------------Lamps---------------

-----------Nico-----Didier-----------

Time to get back to winning ways, hopefully villa can take 2 or 3 points off the mancs as well. Would like to see us play

----Cech

--Ivan--JT--Alex--Cole

----mikel

--ballack--lamps

---malouda

--nico--drogs

Cahill is a hugely important player for them so very good that he is out. Always worry playing everton we never seem to have easy matches against them, plus their strikers are capable of doing serious damage

Edited December 11, 200915 yr by sals

Moyes is not starting with Saha for some reason, which is good for us as Saha has always helped himself with a few goals against us over the years.

Putting aside recent form, both ours and Everton's, this is very much a must-win fixture if we are to keep our place at the top of the Premiership. I can not see anything but another home win at Old Trafford. I would also expect both Man City and Tottenham to win their matches, at Bolton and against Wolves respectively.

Everton have their own little crisis going on, surely giving us the perfect opportunity to emphatically put an end to the recent run of poor results. Nothing less than three points will suffice - there can be NO excuse.

Actually on paper it looks tough for Manu, short on defenders and villa up the table. We'll see. As for us its a question of who is injured.

Last I heard ballack was injured. Mikel, Malouda, Lampard and Ballack I guess, drogs and anelka.

Villa wont be too much of a pushover at United and i could see them even getting a draw.

This is actually a big game for us , drop points and the pressure will well and truely be on , but with Pompey next week its vital we start a run between now and early Jan.

Carlo Revealed most of the starting line-up apart from the two strikers and the player at the tip of the diamond.

------------------------------------------Cech-----------------------------------------

--------------------------Carvalho---------------------Terry--------------------------

--Ivanovic--------------------------------------------------------------------A Cole--

-----------------------------------------Mikel------------------------------------------

---------------------Ballack----------------------------Lampard----------------------

------------------------------------------(?)--------------------------------------------

--------------------------------- (?)--------------(?)-----------------------------------

The two strikers pretty much pick themselves up. However, it remains to be seen that who will play at the tip of the diamond.

The injury list at this moment is:

Alex (thigh) - back by Portsmouth game

Salomon Kalou (groin) - back by Portsmouth game

Daniel Sturridge (hip)

Michael Essien

Jose Bosingwa

Deco is unavailable for personal reasons.

I really hope Malouda gets his chance at the tip of the diamond, but it looks a very distant possibility.

I really hope Malouda gets his chance at the tip of the diamond, but it looks a very distant possibility.

I hope not. He loses enough balls at the left of the diamond which is less crowded as compared to the tip. He's not suited for the totd (tip of the diamond).

Well if it's only the tip of the diamond I guess we only have three choices: Kakuta, Joey or Malouda.

Not sure who to pick. It's not really Maloudas best position, right? If he's to play there I wouldn't mind seeing him drift out to the left every now and then and maybe get Lamps or Ballack to go forward into that position.

Since I missed much of the game against APOEL I would like to see Kakuta play :o

Since I missed much of the game against APOEL I would like to see Kakuta play :o

Kakuta will not be able to handle the physicality of Everton's midfield. I guess the best choice is Joey without a doubt.

Yeah, I would think Cole will play.

If Chelsea build up a lead we may see Kakuta later (assuming he makes the bench)

That midfield looks far too pedestrian and off form for my liking.

-----------Mikel

--Lampard-----Malouda

------------Joey

I'd much rather see that midfield than see Ballack and Deco get anywhere near it.

BTW, if you're not watching it, Wigan may have just scored the goal of the season.