[Novo]

Chelsea and Everton - two of England's in-form sides - prepare to meet at Wembley in the 128th FA Cup final.



FA Cup: Everton v Chelsea preview

What: FA Cup final
Who: Everton v Chelsea
Where: Wembley Stadium, London
When: 31st May 2.00am kick off (NZT)

Everton:

If there was one thing that Barcelona did wrong this season, it was beating Chelsea to the Champions League final making the FA Cup the Blues only hope of silverware in 2009.

David Moyes' Everton know they will be up against it when they take on Chelsea this weekend, but no one can deny the strength in conviction of the Merseysiders - something that has been key in getting Everton to their first FA Cup final in 14-years and a fifth place Premier League finish - despite having a less-than-impressive bank balance, and an injury plagued squad for much of the season.

After having a tough route to the final, which included seeing off; Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Manchester United (in a thrilling semi-final penalty shoot-out after 90-minutes of dullness), Everton - often living in shadow of their 'bigger' and redder national counterparts - have done more than enough to be worthy of a final place against Chelsea.

But while the Blue half of Liverpool believe that Moyes' Everton have enough strength in depth to shake-off their underdog status, it is obvious that the problem for the Toffees will come from having a lack of attacking options to match the likes of Drogba and Golden Boot winner Nicolas Anelka.


With Mikel Arteta, Yakubu, Anichebe and most unfortunately, their semi-final penalty hero Phil Jagielka, all out injured, and on-loan striker Jo ineligible, Moyes' Everton will be expected to struggle.

Due to their lack of attacking options, Moyes now has a tough decision to make and is expected to choose between former Manchester United hit-man (but not completely match-fit) Louis Saha, or teenage tearaway, Jack Rodwell, who has been impressive for Everton in midfield.

One player Moyes dose have in his favour though is the ever impressive Tim Cahill. Cahill, often playing as a makeshift striker for much of the season, has been instrumental, and influential in Everton's continuing success.

Predicted Everton lineup (probable, 4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Osman, Neville, Cahill, Pienaar; Fellaini; Saha (or Rodwell)


Chelsea:

After an up and down season, Chelsea will be hoping to give interim manager 'Golden' Guus Hiddink a glorious FA Cup winning send-off, befitting of a manager, who in just four-months, has succeeded in turning Chelsea's season around.

After stuttering under Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, Russia manager Hiddink came into the Chelsea fold to transform the Blues fortunes, leading them to a third place Premier League finish, a Champions League semi and of course, the FA Cup final.

Unlike Everton, Chelsea had a fairly easy route to the final.

On the road to Wembley, they Blues encountered such teams as, Southend United, Ipswitch Town, Watford and Coventry City, with the only real test coming for the Londoners against Arsenal in the semi-final, which, after a solid defensive display and goals from Malouda and Drogba, actually proved to be no contest at all.

With a fully fit squad, boasting the likes of Drogba and Anelka, and an impregnable defence capable of holding the 'best team' in the world (Barcelona, during their Champions League semi-final) Chelsea head into this final as firm-favourites, with Hiddink arguing that Chelsea's big-match, high pressure experience will be key for the Londoners FA Cup success over the Toffees'.

After playing Champions League football and over ten FA Cup finals since Everton last lifted the Cup, there is no doubt that cashed-up Chelsea hold this envious advantage over the Toffees.

Another obvious advantage is the strength of their squad.

You only have to look at both teams penpix for examples of this, because while David Moyes has to choose between an aging former goalscoring hit-man, a makeshift striker and an 18-year-old baby faced assassin, Hiddink has the choice of Terry, Cole and Bosingwa in defence, Essien, Lampard, Ballack and Malouda in midfield and as mentioned Drogba and Anelka in attack - all of whom have experienced some of the biggest games on the biggest football stages in the world.

Predicted Chelsea lineup (probable, 4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Malouda, Drogba, Anelka

JOLEON LESCOTT V DIDIER DROGBA





Chelsea fans will be hoping to bid a fond farewell to caretaker manager Guus Hiddink with victory at Wembley, but it could also be the final game in blue for their controversial striker.

Drogba has been linked with a move away from the club in the summer despite returning to his best under Hiddink.

The Ivorian has been reformed from a disinterested figure back into the muscular presence for which Chelsea's forward play revolves around.

Much therefore will rest on the shoulders of Lescott to minimise Drogba's impact, a task made harder by the absence of his regular centre-back partner Phil Jagielka through injury.


TIM CAHILL V MICHAEL ESSIEN





Cahill will play in his second FA Cup final after being a part of the Millwall side that lost 3-0 to Manchester United five years ago.

Like that day his side will go in as underdogs, and like that day the Australian's threat from midfield will be a key factor if they are to overcome the odds.

Cahill's ability to find space in the penalty area, especially from set pieces, requires a watchful eye and Essien is the man most likely for the job.

The Ghanaian expertly defused Steven Gerrard's influence in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and his willingness to also get forward will ensure Cahill can not shirk his own defensive duties.


LEIGHTON BAINES V FLORENT MALOUDA





Arguably the two most improved players at their respective clubs this season.

Baines has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier league this season and in so doing put himself in the frame as a genuine contender for England.

Malouda has arguably been Chelsea's form player of the past month, with his new-found confidence bringing with it an eye for goal that had been missing from his play since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2007.

[JohnnyBB]

im loooking forward to this im sure everton fans are just made up they've had a day out

[Ninastar]

I am cheering on everton!!!

[Spike]

Really looking forward to the match
Everton ftw

[Novo]

Originally posted by Ninastar
I am cheering on everton!!!

Good

[Ninastar]

Originally posted by .Andy.

Good

I know

[Novo]

2 hour build up

[30stone]

Ohhh Chelsea Putting out a very attacking team, same pretty much as they played against Barcelona.

This will be tough for Everton.

[Novo]

The team hasn't been confirmed yet

I would prefer them to use 3 up front so we can hit them on the counter

[JohnnyBB]

everton gonna open a can of woop ass any1 just watch sky news with sexy amanda in her everton top

[30stone]

Originally posted by .Andy.
The team hasn't been confirmed yet

I would prefer them to use 3 up front so we can hit them on the counter

Yes but as them hitting you on the counter?

Anelka Drogba and Malouda running forward..

[Novo]

Originally posted by 30stone

Yes but as them hitting you on the counter?

Anelka Drogba and Malouda running forward..

Yobo tackle no problem

[Novo]

Howard
Hibbert
Yobo
Lescott
Baines
Fellaini
Osman
Neville
Piennar
Saha
Cahill

[30stone]

Drogba > Yobo

Lescott/ Jag > Yobo.


Anyway you got the line up for chelsea?

I know Ballack is out..

[Novo]

Yobo will have a great game today ben and you'll eat your words

[Novo]

Chelsea's line up is Shit no need to post it

[30stone]

Im not saying he wont, i just don't think hes quite the level of Jagielka or Lescott.


But you should post the Chelsea line - up

[30stone]

The Cahill Expressway!



Wow hes respected.

Schwarzer will be next with an expressway.

[Novo]

GK. Hilario

DR. Anelka
DC. ivanovic
DC. hiddink
DL. Ray wilkins

MR. Carvalho
MC. Cudicini
MC. Alex
ML. Terry

FC. Kalou
FC. Mikel

[30stone]

Originally posted by .Andy.
GK. Hilario

DR. Anelka
DC. ivanovic
DC. hiddink
DL. Ray wilkins

MR. Carvalho
MC. Cudicini
MC. Alex
ML. Terry

FC. Kalou
FC. Mikel

LOL!!!

[Novo]

Saha will give terry a few problems

[Iceman]

Hmm everton or chelsea?? think i'll go with everton!

[30stone]

P Cech

J Bosingwa, Alex, J Terry, A Cole

M Essien, J Mikel, F Lampard

N Anelka, D Drgoba, F Malouda.


Chelsea lineup for Todays Final.

[30stone]

Other Than Mikel In and Ballack out.

That is the same team that dominated Barcelona!

Tought game for Everton.

[30stone]

Originally posted by David
You are a gooner, an ugly gooner,
you're only happy on giro day,
your mum's put thieving,
your dad's drug dealing,
so don't take my hubcaps away.

That sounds more like the scousers.