After an interval of almost two months, Everton resume their impressive Uefa Cup campaign in Norway with a Round of 32 first leg game in Bergen against SK Brann. While the Blues have been churning through a fixture list that has seen them play nine times since the turn of the year, Brann have been keeping their squad with friendlies seeing as the Norwegian league is in its close season right now. They finished the 2007 season as champions of the Norwegian Premier League, though, for the first time since 1963.
Everton’s last Uefa Cup match, the 3-2 win in Alkmaar that secured a 100% record in Group A, saw them deliberately field a changed line-up as they were already assured of topping their group. This time, however, David Moyes will be forced to name an under-strength line-up because of injury. Aiyegbeni Yakubu is recalled to the team after being dropped for the home win over Reading for disciplinary reasons and Victor Anichebe is also included after recovering from a knock but the Blues will be without the creative heartbeat of the team after both Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar stayed behind on Merseyside in order to recover from injury. Pienaar hasn’t played since leaving for Africa Cup of Nations duty at the beginning of January but Arteta’s absence with a groin complaint comes as a bit of a shock.
That means that Moyes will be short of choices in midfield and the burden of inspiration will likely fall on the shoulders of Manuel Fernandes who has yet to put in a consistently good performance since returning on loan in mid-January. The hope is that the Portuguese will revel in the occasion of a European cup match, albeit one that is likely to be a very British-style affair.
The manager is likely to opt for a 4-4-2 with Andy Johnson and Yakubu playing in front of a midfield quartet of Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Fernandes and Lee Carsley. Phil Neville, Joseph Yobo, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Tim Howard are expected to round out the rearguard. The substitute’s bench provides opportunity for an appearance for the likes Dan Gosling, Jack Rodwell — who made his senior bow in Alkmaar — and Andy van der Meyde.
Despite the loss of Arteta, the Blues will have a pretty strong starting line-up and one that should be able to secure the draw at least that they’ll need to take back to Goodison for the return leg eight days later. Although Brann finished third in their group behind Basel and Hamburg with four points, they’ll be no pushovers, particularly given the goal threat of Thorstein Helstad who has scored 26 goals in 34 appearances since joining them from Rosenborg two years ago. Ironically, the winner of this tie could face Helstad’s old club in the next round if they, Rosenborg, can overcome Fiorentina.
