Swansea City vs Everton Match Preview (24/03/12)

The defeat to Arsenal in midweek was disappointing and even more so once I’d seen the replay of Drenthe’s goal on Match of the Day later on that night. The mood before the game was predictably downbeat and Everton seemed there for the taking.

Arsenal could have been well in front by half time but eventually in the second half Everton did manage to wake up and were so close to coming away with at least a point.

Nikica Jelavic showed some good signs again in the week but worryingly did seem to get out battled for the ball on a few occasions but he does have natural talent and will hopefully score some goals once he settles in. His movement has been terrific and once his teammates are on par with his game then the signs look good.

Johnny Heitinga again commanded the defence with gusto and is making a good case for the captains armband in the future.

Swansea away I set to be a tricky one, and it could have come at a good time for the Welshmen as rightly or wrongly Everton have one eye on the FA Cup replay in Sunderland on Tuesday.

The Swans were easily brushed aside by Everton earlier in the season at Goodison despite forging some impressive victories against some of the league big guns. The Liberty Stadium has been a fortress for Swansea and undoubtedly has helped them pick up enough points to go into the Everton game in a position of relative safety.

Swansea have played some impressive football with the likes of Nathan Dyer who misses this game, Leon Britton and Scott Sinclair all adding to the attacking flair of Swansea who with their passionate fans behind them are definitely a force at home.

Gylfi Sigurðsson has been scoring a few recently and he is a player Everton will have to watch.

Everton could easily come unstuck here against one of the best passing teams in the league and with the possibility of Everton players being rested then I suppose some Evertonians would be happy to get a point on Saturday.

Let’s hope we can go to Wales and pick up the three points and go into Tuesday’s game on a high.

Our Prediction: Swansea City 1-1 Everton

The Actual Score Was: Swansea City 0-2 Everton (Get in!)