Hard to see too many changes from the starting eleven against Arsenal. Deco might come in for Ballack or Mikel but other than that probably a case of 'as you were'

Massive midweek with Man Utd, us and the also rans all playing tough games.

I think Deco and Joe Cole will play in places of Ballack and Malouda who need some rest

Maybe Anelka also as he seemed a bit tired

A win is a neccessity and hope we'll stay focused as Everton are a more physical side than Arsenal and will fight hard at home

I hate these midweek away fixtures. We haven't been great away from home this season as we'd like to be and Everton are in fine form (which will hopefully disappear after the derby defeat.)

Goodison park is a tough place to go so I do not expect us to steamroller them. However, with so much quality and strength, and with Drogba back to his scoring best nothing less than a win will suffice.

As far my prediction on the line up, I expect a couple of changes. Joe Cole and Deco back in while Ballack and Malouda out. *crossing fingers* Alex could also replace Carvalho to cope with the aerial threat of Everton. Mikel should start after the brilliant performance against Arse.

Edited February 8, 201016 yr by rahuldotchelsea

Hard to see too many changes from the starting eleven against Arsenal. Deco might come in for Ballack or Mikel but other than that probably a case of 'as you were'

Massive midweek with Man Utd, us and the also rans all playing tough games.

You're probably right, although I hope you're wrong.

What has been noticeable this season is how players have looked tired in some matches - certainly during a run of games over a short period - like Hull last week. I would personally like to see at least two of the older players rested for Everton. Moyes is no mug and I expect him to play against us like Hull did last week and how Wigan did earlier in the season, hurrying us and giving us little time on the ball.

Anelka could do with a break and and I think there's good reason to rest Lampard or Ballack too.

Bring in Sturridge & Joe. Could also see Alex return in place of Ricci as well to combat Everton's aerial threat.

Win this game and it will be a title turning moment.

United have Villa and Everton away, both are potential bogie grounds for them.

Bearing in mind what happened in Saturdays game I would expect there is a good chance Fellani and Piennar may not be playing. Great news for us as they have possibly been evertons best players this season. In particular Fellani gave our defence no end of aerial trouble in the 3-3 game at the Bridge.

Expect Alex to play and hopefully Sturridge in for Anelka, Joe to replace Ballack and Yury for Malouda. Kalou on the bench at the Bridge.

hope he gives ballack a rest (until June!)............seriously he was off the pace yesterday and needs a rest, maybe nico too as he looked a bit jaded

defence solid as ever tho

everton improved lots, got a good draw at the bridge and have plenty pace up front, fellaini will sit deep and block off the middle so attack the fullbacks

watch cahill at set pieces of course

then get a 1-0 win.......

COYB

Edited February 8, 201016 yr by Mod
Moved to the Everton Match thread.

Maybe this line up

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

---Ivan-----Alex-----Terry------Cole---

--- Mikel---

---Joe-----Deco---Lampard---

-----Anelka or Kalou----DD--------

Ballack, Malouda and Anelka seem to look for obvious reasons our most tired players recently but I think CA maintained Ballack vs Arsenal because he was better at defending than Joe or Deco to protect the right side

Critics are harsh on him as it was even one of his interception in our box that leaded to our fantasctic counter for the second goal

Happy to see Mikel in such a good form tough, he was brillant and surely benefited from his little break

Not sure if CA will take the risk to rest Anelka

Then prepare to hear Deco or Kalou slated unless we won 7-0

It would surprise to see Deco starting.

Everton will likely be a tougher proposition at Goodison than Larse were at the Bridge. They will be more of a threat in the air than Larse and will need watching at setpieces.

I'd be tempted to include Alex for this one in place of Carvalho. Bossy may well be on the bench. Mikel will most likely get another start, I'd like to see Joe Cole start but Ballack is the only guy he could potentially replace.

Perhaps we could start Sturridge or at anyrate bring him on at half time. Its far from certain he's in front of Kalou what this forum might think. Hopefully Ashley is fit enough.

United are on a great run right now and we will have to work very hard to stay in front.

I love how I always get to read that Ballack should be rested forever and how when playing with him is like playing with 10 men. Amazing how we always get a win though isn't it? Maybe you're suggesting that if we played someone else in his place, not only would we win, but we would rule the world and football would become so boring with us always winning.

I'm a huge Ballack fan but he is getting on a bit and has had injuries in the past and no matter how much older players train they are only human beings and if they are overplayed they will tend to get injured and make mistakes.

As well as Everton we have the champions league coming up next week is it?

There is little doubt (in my mind) that the team that played against arsenal with the possible exception of joe cole for malouda and even less plausibly alex for carvalho against physical attackers is the best team chelsea can put out from its fit players.

However we just can't play that team every game, or it won't be the best team.

The central midfielders do more work than anyone else, and despite Lampard's amazing fitness they still need some rotation in my opinion.

Ancelotti has held this side together so far but considering the defensive problems ManU have had and their over depdendence on Rooney we should be further ahead. The championship is still a very close thing consider we have to go to old trafford and they have caught up the goal difference.

So anyway its a delicate balance to rest your prime assets just enough. I hope Carlo continues to get it more right than wrong.

Pieenar will miss this game wont he? Tought he got red card against pool

Anyway, expecting a pretty easy win if the boys are in for it.

i really hope carlo is going to make some changes...we need to keep our key players fit. I definitly think that Anelka and Ballack should get a rest. They both look tired. I hope we play something like this:

----------------cech--------------

--pf------alex---jt-----ashley---

---------deco-mikel-lampard---

------------Joe--Zhirkov-------

------------Drogba--------------

Edited February 9, 201016 yr by german-blue

Deco will not play - still injured - so we should win

Deco will not play - still injured - so we should win

Then Matic should get a chance instead of him. Well he wont, but you can hope

You people keep on about this, but you will be screaming the loudest and quickest for Ancellotti to be sacked if we start dropping points because he is playing teenagers! Get a grip!

We should be on a high right now, seeing as we are top of the league and all, but I anxiously dread this match. Another cold February night, away from home, against a combative team. I can almost see the first goal going to them, then the bad passes, the blind-alley runs, the optimistic shots, the horrible corners. We've seen this before, actually not longer than a week ago. I don't want another Hull. I want an inspired, motivated, battle-ready team who looks like they can and will grind out a result. I want a solid defense and a clean sheet. Somehow Mikel, Ballack, Anelka and Deco just don't fit with that.

We should be on a high right now, seeing as we are top of the league and all, but I anxiously dread this match. Another cold February night, away from home, against a combative team. I can almost see the first goal going to them, then the bad passes, the blind-alley runs, the optimistic shots, the horrible corners. We've seen this before, actually not longer than a week ago. I don't want another Hull. I want an inspired, motivated, battle-ready team who looks like they can and will grind out a result. I want a solid defense and a clean sheet. Somehow Mikel, Ballack, Anelka and Deco just don't fit with that.

I can't understande being pessimistic about the chances of a team including Ballack Mikel and Anelka after the way we just sat back and shut out Arsenal,

I'm not saying Anelka couldn't do with a rest but to put him out of the team for any other reason would be insane.

Mikel had a decent game and without Essien or Belletti if we use a holding player I still think hes our best bet as he allows Lampard and Ballack to relax a bit (although second half Sunday they couldn't really relax)

I also think Deco will still have a part to play this season if we are to progress in the Cups as well as holding top spot.

I'm always optimistic but I really can't see why anybody is talking up our "bad passes, the blind-alley runs, the optimistic shots, the horrible corners" when this season so far has been about so much more than that.

Edited February 9, 201016 yr by Chippy

I couldn't have been happier to learn that Deco is injured. So hopefully Joey comes in for Ballack and in the other changes, I can imagine Alex and Kalou starting this one. And Sturridge should get some game time before the Cup match vs Cardiff.

Anelka has look tired in the last couple of outings but this is not the type of game in which if should be rested so I am not sure about his sold tomorrow.

On a positive note, Fellaini will most probably miss this one. So, our players should feel much more secure tomorrow.

You people keep on about this, but you will be screaming the loudest and quickest for Ancellotti to be sacked if we start dropping points because he is playing teenagers! Get a grip!

well said mate. does my head in this, some fans are calling for youth players to get a chance with one breath then saying how pissed of they are that we didnt buy a load of players in january.

The match will be won and lost in midfield , Goodison on a cold Wed evening will be no place for inexperience or players unwilling to put their foot in. I'd expect a similar lineup to Saturday with players given a rest against Cardiff. Titles are won on nights like these , dont blow it Blues.

I completely forgot to mention in my previous post that Pienaar is suspended. So they are without two key men. I hope those two absences more than make up for Essien's loss.

I've heard that Fellaini is injured... Is this true?

I've heard that Fellaini is injured... Is this true?

he is, he`s torn a ligament in his hair.