Back early strike in Monday clash

David John previews Monday's FA Cup clash between Cheltenham and Everton and is going for an early goal.

Last Updated: 07/01/13 at 07:51 Post Comment   

Moyes: Keen to see off Monday's rivals and progress

Moyes: Keen to see off Monday's rivals and progress

Cheltenham v Everton (1945GMT ESPN)

David Moyes and Everton have slipped on the odd banana skin in this competition before and the Scot has revealed in the build-up that he is not keen to repeat the experience at Whaddon Road on Monday night.

While the main priority remains a chase for a top four - or better - finish in the Premier League, the Toffees do have a decent Cup pedigree having lifted the trophy five times in total, reached the final back in 2009 and the last four in 2012.

Moyes has consistently proven he is one of the elite managers in the game currently but still seeks a first piece of silverware to bring home to the Goodison faithful after 11 years and the FA Cup clearly offers an excellent chance to put an end to that statistic.

They are no bigger then 4/11 to get the better of their League Two rivals and despite Moyes being highly likely to rest the likes of Leighton Baines among others, fringe players like Bryan Oviedo and Ross Barkley will be under no illusion that progress into the fourth round is of the utmost importance.

Mark Yates' side stand in their way and the Robins manager has ensured his side will try and take their usual football-first approach and play their way past their opponents.

He is under no illusions - "we will "need to be at the top of our game" - but the fact they have the joint-best home record in League Two while Scott Brown has kept more clean sheets than other goalkeeper in the division suggests they are not going to be a complete pushover.

That said, the visitors are likely to start with Marouane Fellaini and Nikica Jelavic - the latter has been encouraged by Moyes to hurry up and rediscover his consistent goalscoring touch - and that sort of quality plain and simple makes a difference to any line-up at this level.

If the home side do stick to their plan of trying to knock the ball around, this should be pleasing to the eye and an early chance or two should be there for the taking.

So the advice is to back an opening goal hitting the onion bag before the 28th minute at 4/6 with Coral.

Verdict: Cheltenham 1 Everton 3


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