English FA CUP
2013-02-16 - Oldham Athletic vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup
Saturday 16 February 2013 - Kick Off 5:30pm
This game is live on TV
Oldham Athletic
Even beating Liverpool couldn't save Paul Dickov from being in an untenable position as manager of Oldham Athletic. Unfortunately for Dickov, that performance was a really an exceptional one on the season as Oldham have been struggling in League One and survival was the main priority for the club rather than a Cup run.
Oldham have reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup and will be looking to complete a Merseyside double by knocking out Everton at Boundary Park in front of the TV cameras. However, the fans may also have one eye on the League One games that are being played on Saturday afternoon to see if Oldham have lost more ground in their bid to avoid the drop to the fourth tier of English football.
Matt Smith, a two-goal scorer against Liverpool, is set to return to the side for this one. Robbie Simpson should also be available.
Everton
David Moyes has admitted that there won't be any talk about what is happening with his contract at Everton until the end of the season when it expires as he wants to concentrate on finishing the campaign on a high. There are rumours that he will be offered the Chelsea job, but for now, Moyes is concentrating in guiding his team into the Quarter Final of the FA Cup once again.
Everton will be at least a little aware of what Oldham Athletic are capable of after seeing neighbours Liverpool beaten at Boundary Park in the last Round. They have also won 1-5 at Cheltenham Town from the upper reaches of League Two so going to a lower League club shouldn't hold too much fear for the side. Recent seasons have also seen Everton become a little less vulnerable to playing lower League clubs as they were early in Moyes' reign here.
They did see their 7 game unbeaten run come crashing to an end last weekend as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 at Manchester United. Before that loss at Old Trafford, Everton had won 4 of their previous 5 away games in all competitions including a 1-5 win at Cheltenham and a 1-2 win at Bolton Wanderers in this competitions.
Sylvain Distin is due back after missing the game at Manchester United through illness. Victor Anichebe is a doubt, but a strong is expected to take the field.
Head to Head
Everton will have a bit of revenge in their mind as they were beaten by Oldham Athletic 0-1 in this competition at Goodison Park back in the 2007/08 season.
This will be the first time they have played at Boundary Park since the 1993/94 season when Everton left with the 0-1 victory in the Premier League.
Prediction
I think Everton will win this game after what happened to Liverpool here as that should concentrate the players minds. This competition gives Everton a real chance of picking up a trophy and so I do expect a strong team out too.
I would have backed Everton on the Asian Handicap, but they win a lot of their games by single goal margins and I think there is every chance Oldham Athletic are going to score at least once because of an Everton defence that doesn't have many clean sheets on their travels.
Everton have just 1 clean sheet from their last 13 away games in all competitions and they even conceded to Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers. Therefore, Everton to win in a match with both teams to score at 3.10 looks a decent shout.
The Pick :
Oldham Athletic 1-2 Everton
