Wolfsburg v Everton

Europa League

Group H

Match Day 5

Volkswagen Arena

27-11-2014 @ 18.00 GMT

How are the two sides current form?

Wolfburg are second in Europa League Group H only a point after Everton, before the two sides meet at Volkswagen Arena. The last match between the two sides ended with a comfortable 4-1 win to Everton by goals of Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Kevin Mirallas and an owngoal by Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

What are the probable line-ups?

Daniel Caligiuri, Adelino Vieirinha, Felipe Aliste Lopes and Patrick Ochs are all sidelined for Wolfsburg while Everton has to do without nine players including Gareth Barry.

Benaglio

Knoche - Naldo - Trasch - Rodriguez

Guilavogui - De Bruyne - Luiz Gustavo - Perisic

Vierinha - Olic

_____________________________________________

Lukaku

Barkley - Naismith - Mirallas

Osman - McCarthy

Hibbert - Distin - Jagielka - Coleman

Howard

Worth keeping an eye on

Wolfsburg - Kevin de Bruyne: The former Chelsea talent is the creative playmaker on the Wolfsburg side and the star at Volkswagen Arena. If he gets the space needed to perform his best, he will be a problem for Evertons defense and chances in Germany.

Everton - Ross Barkley: Ross Barkley just keeps getting better and better and the talent is one of the primary forces in the Everton attack. He might not score as many goals as hoped for, but he often creates the chances for Romelu Lukaku.

What to expect from this match?

Everton are the favorites at Volkswagen Arena, especially after the match at Goodison Park. The Toffees looks stronger than Wolfsburg at the moment, and I think we will see that in the match on Thursday. However, the Germans are not a side that gives at the door and we can expect them to put up a fight against Everton.

What are the odds?

Wolfsburg: 1 (Coral)

Draw: 11/4 (BetVictor)

Everton: 16/5 (BetVictor)

Six Premier League sides have qualified for the European competitions this season; four in the Champions League and two in the Europa League. But, what are their chances in Europe??

This year's Champions League will have Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City representing England while Everton and Tottenham will play in the Europa League. Great Dane Football Blog takes a look on the teams chances in their respective groups. 

Champions League

Group B

FC Basel 1893, Liverpool FC, PFC Ludogorets Razgrad, Real Madrid CF

FC Basel was one of the big surprises in European football last season, beating Chelsea twice in the Champions League, and are underdogs in this group. There is no doubt that Liverpool and Real Madrid are favorites as group winners. On paper, Real Madrid is a better side than Liverpool, and they should  win both matches. Ludogorets are, without a doubt, the weakest team in the group, but can cause problems from Liverpool with their typical East European work rage. Liverpool should advance from group B. 

Liverpool fixtures: September 16th - Liverpool v Ludogorets, October 1st - FC Basel v Liverpool, October 22nd - Liverpool v Real Madrid, November 4th - Real Madrid v Liverpool, November 26th - Ludogorets v Liverpool, December 9th - Liverpool v FC Basel.

Group D

Arsenal, Borrussia Dortmund, Galatasaray AS, RSC Anderlecht

Once again Arsenal and Dortmund are facing each other in the Champions League, and they will be the favorites for the win. Galatasaray can come from the back and surprise, especially as Dortmund doesn't look as strong as they have done the last couple of seasons. Furthermore, Arsenal has a history of failing in the Champions League, but the side seems stronger this season. Belgian football is not what is was many years ago, that said, Anderlecht have a lot of European experience, and can cause trouble for all the sides in this group. Arsenal will end as runners up or third in this group.

Arsenal fixtures: September 16th - Dortmund v Arsenal, October 1st - Arsenal v Galatasaray, October 22nd - Anderlecht v Arsenal, November 4th - Arsenal v Anderlecht, November 26th - Arsenal v Dortmund, December 9th - Galatasary v Arsenal.

Group E

AS Roma, FC Bayern München, Manchester City FC, PFC CSKA Moskva

Two giants meet Bayern München and Manchester City clash in Group E, and there is no doubt they will battle for the win in this group. No doubt Roma are a great side, but Italian teams and the Italian Serie A is not what it used to be. CSKA Moskva shouldn't be a hurdle for City at all, but time and time again we see the Russian sides surprise. Manchester City will end as winners of Group E.

Manchester City fixtures: September 17th - Bayern München v Manchester City, September 30th - Manchester City v AS Roma, October 21st - CSKA Moskva v Manchester City, November 5th - Manchester City v CSKA Moskva, November 25th - Manchester City v Bayern München, December 10th - AS Roma v Manchester City.

Group G

Chelsea FC, FC Schalke 04, NK Maribor, Sporting Clube de Portugal

Of all the Premier League sides competing in the Champions League, Chelsea are in the easiest group. No doubt Schalke 04 is a good side, but Chelsea should not fear the Germans nor Maribor and Sporting. Chelsea should win this group without any problems.

Chelsea FC fixtures: September 17th - Chelsea v Schalke 04, September 30th - Sporting v Chelsea, October 21st - Chelsea v Maribor, November 5th - Maribor v Chelsea, November 25th - Schalke 04 v Chelsea, December 10th - Chelsea v Sporting.

Europa League

E

Group C

Asteras Tripolis FC, Besiktas JK, FK Partizan, Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs did well in the Europa League last season, and are one of the favorites this season as well. Asteras Tripolis and Partizan should not be a problem for Tottenham, while Besiktas is the hardest opponent in the group. That said, Tottenham will be the winners of this group.

Tottenham Hotspur fixtures: September 18th - FK Partizan v Tottenham Hotspur, October 2nd - Tottenham Hotspur v Besiktas, October 23rd - Tottenham Hotspur v Asteras, November 6th - Asteras v Tottenham Hotspur, November 27th - Tottenham Hotspur v FK Partizan, December 11th - Besiktas v Tottenham Hotspur.

Group H

Everton, Krasnodar, Lille LOSC, Wolfsburg

Everton are in a much harder group than Tottenham, facing Lille and Wolfsburg. While Krasnodar should be a walkover, Lille and Wolfsburg are both sides able to cause problems for Everton. However, the Toffees have gone through a major development the last couple of seasons, and they can go far in this years Europa League. 

Everton fixtures: September 18th - Everton v Wolfsburg, October 2nd - Krasnodar v Everton, October 23nd - Lille v Everton, November 6th - Everton v Lille, November 27th - Wolfsburg v Everton, December 11th - Everton v Krasnodar. 

Everton v Chelsea

Barclays Premier League

Goodison Park

30-08-2014 @ 5.30pm

Howard

Coleman - Jagielka - Distin - Baines

McCarthy - Barry

Mirallas - Naismith - Pienaar

Lukaku

________________________________________________

Diego Costa

Hazard - Schürrle - Oscar

Matic - Fabregas

Filipe Luis - Cahill - Terry - Ivanovic 

Courtois

Worth keeping an eye on

Everton: Lukaku is the star of the Everton side, and the Belgian striker should be on fire against Chelsea, showing Mourinho he was wrong not giving him a chance.

Chelsea: Diego Costa is the new striker in Chelsea, and he has already scored his first goals for the Blues. Can he bag a few more against Everton?

What to expect from this match?

Everton had a good take on the top teams last season, and the will be a hurdle again this season. Not much has changed in the Everton squad, but that might just be their strength. However, Chelsea won the last meeting between the two sides, and Mourinho's troops are better on paper. But, as we all know, football isn't played on paper. 

We can expect much from Chelsea and Diego Costa this season, and they should take a win against Everton. 

What are the odds?

Everton: 3 (Matchbook)

Draw: 13/5 (bet365)

Chelsea: 11/10 (Sky Bet)

When Roberto Martínez took over Everton, he brought some of his former players in Wigan with him. The 23-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Joel Robles is one of them. Robles convinced Martínez in his 8 matches, during his loan spell to Wigan from Atlético Madrid last year. The Spaniard is a product of Gestafe's youth department which he left for Atlético Madrid in 2005. However, the talent never made a first team performance for the Madrid's before joining first Rayo Vallecano and later Wigan. It is very doubtful he will get much first team experience this season as Tim Howard seems to be the first pick in Everton. However, he will be worth watching once he gets his chance.

4. Vito Mannone, 24, Sunderland

Joined from Arsenal

When Simon Mignolet left Sunderland for Liverpool, the Black Cats were quick to bring in the former Italian youth national Vito Mannone. The Italian joined Arsenals youth department from Atalanta in 2005 and was given his debut in the Premier League against Hull in 2009 - 21 years old. Since his debut in 2009, it has only been to 15 matches for the Gunners, and two loan spells at Hull City. However, last season the Italian impressed with some good actions while both Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny were out with injuries. Despite his good performances, Mannone found himself as the third choice in Arsenal why a transfer to Sunderland seemed as the best option. In Sunderland, he will be battling with Kieren Westwood for the hot spot, but the Italian seems to be the first choice for Paolo Di Canio.

3. Adrián, 26, West Ham United

Joined from Real Betis

One season for Real Betis first team was enough for Adrián to impress West Ham. And no wonder - the Spanish goalkeeper was one of the best players for Real Betis last season reaching a 7th in La Liga. With his 11 matches without conceding a goal,  there can be no doubt that the Hammers has found themselves a classy goalkeeper. However, in West Ham Adrián will be battling with Jussi Jääskeläinen and Stephen Henderson, with the first as the hardest contender. That said, Jääskeläinen has reached an age where it is time to let a new player come through. I believe that we will see Adrián in the goal from the first round of the Premier League.

2. Maarten Stekelenburg, 30, Fulham

Joined from AS Roma

For many years,  Mark Schwarzer was for many years the goalkeeper in Fulham. However, the Australian rejected to sign a new contract and left for Chelsea this summer. Instead, Fulham brought in the Dutch international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from AS Roma. The 30-year-old is a product of Ajax Amsterdams youth system and was the first choice for the Dutch champions until 2011 where he left for Roma. With Stekelenburg, Fulham gets a routined goalkeeper with more than 50 international caps and experience from the Champions League and the Europa League. There is no doubt in my mind that Stekelenburg can be one of the best goalkeepers this season.

1. Simon Mignolet, 25, Liverpool

Joined from Sunderland

Simon Mignolet does not need much presentation; the Belgian goalkeeper was on everybody's lips last year with his outstanding performances for Sunderland. During the summer Mignolet has been reported to both Manchester clubs as well as Arsenal and Chelsea, but it was Liverpool who won the race. Here, the Belgians arrival has sent Pepe Reina to Napoli, leaving Mignolet as the first choice. The big question is if Mignolet can play as good as he did in Sunderland. In Liverpool,  he will be faced with greater expectations and a lot more pressure and this season will show if he is the star goalkeeper he has the potential to be.

After 26 years in the Manchester United seat, Sir Alex Ferguson has decided to retire. The new man in the seat is the now former Everton manager, David Moyes. Great Dane Football Blog gives you five reasons why Moyes is the right man for the job.

5. Hand picked by Ferguson

Rumours says that Sir Alex Ferguson himself, has hand picked David Moyes as his replacement. There is no doubt that Ferguson will have had his say on the man to follow him, and if he really has hand picked Moyes, he must believe that the former Everton manager has what it takes to lead United to victory.

4. Less controversial

One of the names mentioned as a replacement for Alex Ferguson was Jose Mourinho. The "special one" is known as a controversial figure and might have caused more damage than glory to Manchester United. Instead, David Moyes is more of the English gentleman with history with almost none controversies. It's worth noticing than you almost never see Moyes actively seeking controversies.

3. Manager for the long run

Manchester United are a club that wants a manager for the long run. David Moyes has been loyal to Everton for 11 years and fits perfectly to United's tradition of long term stability. He will get the space and the board will be patient with him, as he is replacing the man synonymous with Manchester United. 

2. Experience of a tight budget

David Moyes has worked on an extremely low budget in Everton and still managed to make them a sub-top team in the Premier League. Manchester United has debt issues and to some extent Moyes will be working on a tight budget here, as well. That said his transfer possibilities will be far better than they were in Everton.

1. Likes to promote within

Just like Alex Ferguson David Moyes likes to promote youth players to the senior team. In 2002, he was the manager to give Wayne Rooney his debut when he was only 16-year-old. Manchester United is known for their academy, and we might see a few extra youth players for Manchester United in the future. Furthermore, promoting youth players saves money!

Last week's football list featured the five most influential Danish players in the Premier League. This week it is all about the five least influential Danish players.

1.    Per Krøldrup
      Everton: 1 Premier League match, 1 FA Cup match

The Danish defender joined Everton from Udinese in 2005, but got injured before playing his first match for the team. He had his debut and only match in the Premier League, in the 4-0 to Aston Villa, as well as a FA Cup match against Millwall as a substitute. After a failing season in Everton, Krøldrup signed a contract with Italian Fiorentina, where he still plays. Per Krøldrup was ranked as the fifth worst player to have ever played for one of the Merseyside clubs, By Liverpool Echo in 2007.

2.    Martin Johansen

      Coventry City: 2 Premier League matches, 1 League Cup match
 
Martin Johanssen joined Coventry City from FC Copenhagen in 1997. After a successful period in Copenhagen, Coventry bought Johansen from the Danish club while Bolton bought his twin brother Michael. While Michael Johansen had a successful stay in Bolton, Martin spend two seasons on the bench and only made three appearances for Coventry before transferring to Lyngby BK in 1999.

3.    Mikkel Bischoff 
      Manchester City: 1 Premier League match,
      1 UEFA Cup match

      Wolverhampton Wanderes: 11 Championship matches

      Sheffield Wednesday: 4 Championship match

      Coventry City: 3 Championship matches

Manchester City signed Mikkel Bischoff from Akademisk Boldklub in a try to strengthen the team for the future. However, Bischoff’s stay in Manchester was far from successful. After his first match for the club, he had to go through surgery due to a hernia injury. When he was back for the club, he injured his foot during a Danish U21 match. The season after he appeared in his second and last match for City, in the UEFA Cup match against TNS from Wales.  Bischoff went on a successful one month loan in Wolverhampton Wanderers, followed up by a loan in Coventry City. In 2007, the Dane was joined the Danish club Brøndby on a free transfer. Today, Bischoff is on a free agent.

4.    Carsten Fredgaard 
      Sunderland: 1 Premier League matches,
      4 League Cup matches

      West Bromwich Albion: 5 Division One matches

      Bolton Wanderers:  5 Division One matches

Carsten Fredgaard started his unsuccessful stay in Sunderland in 1999. Even though, she scored two goals on the League Cup (Worthington Cup) Fredgaard never worked himself into the first team squad, and he is most known for his nickname, Chocolate Fireguard, during his Sunderland era. Carsten Fredgaard won on a loan in both West Bromwich and Bolton Wanderers before joining FC Copenhagen in 2001, where he had more success. Fredgaard today plays in the Danish 2. Division for HIK.

5.    Christian Poulsen

      Liverpool: 12 Premier League matches, 9 Europa League matches

When Liverpool signed Christian Poulsen in August 2010, they signed a player with a great C.V. With over hundred matches for Schalke 04 in the German Bundesliga, as well as a great reputation in Spain and Italy after his seasons in Sevilla and Juventus. However, Christian Poulsen never got the success in Liverpool as he could have hoped for. He was one of Roy Hodgsons purchases that never had an impact on the squad, and the fans often found his performances lacking in skill. After Kenny Dalglish took over in the club, time ran out for Poulsen, who transferred to Evian.