Swansea and Everton meet each other after both suffered disappointing results in the previous round. Swansea come into the game still nursing a backline full of injuries as well as the suspension of Chico while Everton lost Jelavic who crashed into the post during the Newcastle game.
Swansea has looked good all season, even in the loss to Aston Villa, where they were just missing the cutting edge. New signing Pablo to me seems like a perfect player to solve this problem for them, replacing Graham with him might be a move that will pay off handsomely. Graham in the previous game seemed to lack the mobility that Swansea needed for them to finish off many of their moves while Pablo will provide just that for them, as well as a selfishness unseen in other Swansea players. When he came on in the Villa game, he attempted dribbles as soon as he got the ball(though many were not successful). Once he gets them right though, we might be seeing a whole new dimension to the Swansea team that will take them up to the next level.
everton too has also shown that they are comfortable on the ball and fluid in their shape when they want to. This could change with the injury of Jelavic, with Anichebe possibly starting in his stead and he is a much less mobile player, unable to receive passes that well and continue the move flowing. Another option might be to start Mirallas in the forward role, with Gueye or Coleman starting on the flank. The combination of Pienaar and Baines will be key, their combinations working wonders down the left flank. Look out for the low driven crosses of Baines, but Fellaini and Mirallas will have to work on their sometimes suspect shooting to be able to capitalise and put the ball past Vorm.
Predictions:
Look out for an exciting match, with lots of shooting opportunities though goals might be at a premium due to Everton's lack of a goalscorer without Jelavic and the ability of Everton to make last ditch blocks and tackles if the opponents take too long to shoot(Swansea really needs to cut down a few passses and shoot early, at least in this game). I expect Everton to clinch this game, though it will be a close and tight one, with a mistake possibly the deciding factor for the match.
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