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Tuesdays Soccer – By Chris.

Carling Cup semi final - first leg

Chelsea  -  Everton      1.77  -   5.10
With this fixture in mind, I very much wanted to oppose Everton at the weekend in their FA Cup game with Oldham. Unfortunately I received all kind of negative reports about Oldham and I chickened out. Anyway I was convinced that the Evertonians were already looking forward to this semi final and their poor effort against Oldham did not surprise me a bit. Tomorrow Everton will welcome back Yobo, T Cahill, P Neville, T Howard and Yakubu, but Arteta is out suspended. Pienaar was also included in the squad, but it looks like he will not be allowed to play after all. Missing Arteta is a set back for Everton, but Chelsea have bigger problems to deal with.

When you consider this modern version of Chelsea you first and foremost come to think of their key players like J Terry, F Lampard, M Essien and D Drogba. They are all unavailable for this match and we will not see Malouda, Makelele, Shevchenko or Kalou either. Obi Mikel and Carvalho should play however. Keeper Cech has an outside chance of being fit, but with Cudicini also on the sidelines, we will most likely see Hilario between the sticks. Pizarro is their only recognised striker at the moment, but  maybe Joe Cole will be used up front. Chelsea have not lost at Stamford Bridge since February 2004 but surely this much weakened Chelsea side will live dangerously tomorrow. Time for Everton to end the amazing unbeaten run? Perhaps but you have to remember that this semi final is a two legged affair and Everton will probably be perfectly happy with a draw tomorrow. The odds are all wrong, that is for sure. X2 then!

Chelsea 2 Everton 1

Chris.