207th Merseyside Derby - TalkSoccer

**Evertonscouser** · 27-03-2008, 12:58 AM

On Sunday Anfield plays host to the 207th merseyside derby. With what could be the defining point in the season in the race for 4th place. Both teams need a win here. With 2 points separating the teams neither can afford to lose and the pressure on both if massive. Whoever wins not only get bragging rights to the city, and pole position in the last stretch in the race for Champions leauge football.

**Evertonscouser** · 28-03-2008, 04:07 PM

Cahill out for this game and for rest of season.
Pienaar, Yobo and Johnson all fit to play.

Everton squad:
Howard, Wessels, Neville, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Gardner, Baines, Valente, Carsley, Fernandes, Osman, Arteta, Pienaar, Gravesen, Anichebe, Johnson, Yakubu.

**Lemmy** · 28-03-2008, 04:17 PM

Primed to be a great match. Liverpool haven't been too hot in the last few weeks and Mascherano won't be playing due to his suspension.

NJ10 · 28-03-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

Primed to be a great match. Liverpool haven't been too hot in the last few weeks and Mascherano won't be playing due to his suspension.

Not entirely true, prior to the United game we had won our previous seven fixtures- including two wins over Inter in the CL.

Mascherano will be a loss, but i guess Lucas will come in so the system shouldnt change too much. Glad that Cahill isnt playing, he seems to have had the indian sign over our defence in recent derby matches. The worry is Yakubu, but if we can stifle him I am pretty confident we can keep them quiet, and that Torres & Gerrard will do the business at the other end.

Should be one hell of a tense match though, defeat for either side is pretty much unthinkable.

**Evertonscouser** · 30-03-2008, 02:33 PM

Team announced. Victor Anichebe and Cahill out. Yakubu only striker availible...

------------------Howard--------------
Hibbert---Yobo----Jagielka----Lescott
Arteta--Osman-Neville--Carsley--Pienaar
--------------------The Yak-----------------

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 30-03-2008, 02:36 PM

Liverpool is the best team on paper... I think the best result Everton can manage is a draw.

**Evertonscouser** · 30-03-2008, 02:44 PM

Rumours are Yakubu is completely sick today. This game in my opninion will be won in the midfield battle.

The keepers are two of the best in the league and both defenses are perfectly geared up to handle each others attack. We need performances from Arteta, Pienaar and Osman today for the goals if the Yaks as bad as being made out they need to be doing the work for him.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 31-03-2008, 10:07 AM

Everton defended themselves well as they use to do. But up front they had nothing to offer. I expected more from Everton yesterday but they dissapointed everybody. Liverpool to lose against Arsenal and Everton win against Derby and Everton will be back in the race for the fourt place again with only 2 points behind.