I look forward to this match about as much as I look forward to getting regular colonoscopies when I get older. If last year is any indication of what is in store for tomorrow, Everton will be playing like it's the Champions League Final. Too bad they'll probably never know what that's like.
We have more question marks with our roster than the Riddler had on his body suit. We have injured players that may or may not play in Kuyt, Alonso, and Torres, and we have an obscene amount of players coming off international duty on two days rest with Gerrard, Voronin, Finnan, Babel, Riise, Benayoun, Mascherano, Hyypia, and Pepe Reina.
The league did us no favors either with a 12:45 pm local start time.
Basically what I'm saying is Rafa has two options here. He can go with his best players and risk them being fatigued or he can fill in the gaps with rested yet less experienced players. Option A would look something like this:
Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Arbeloa
Darby
Leto
Sissoko
Lucas
Pennant
Kuyt
Torres
Option B:
Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Hyypia
Arbeloa
Babel
Mascherano
Gerrard
Pennant
Kuyt
Torres
Not much difference, I know, the biggest being Darby whom I doubt Benitez would put in such situation. If Hobbs starts, we lose, it's that simple. Anyone who's actually watched him extensively knows he just not ready. The latter line-up is the most likely, but either way, Rafa will get the blame if we don't get a positive result.
Anyhow, here's my final guess:
Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Hyypia
Arbeloa
Babel
Alonso
Sissoko
Pennant
Kuyt
Torres
Bench:
Itandje
Gerrard
Crouch
Riise
Benayoun
If Kuyt is not ready to go, I think we'll see Crouch start unfortunately. Like I said, I'm not looking forward to this one at all, especially if Cahill is back. A win here would do us wonders.
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