REPLAYS MAY BE THE WAY FORWARD

It was a pity to blow out last week after virtually sweeping the board the week before. Of course, Gillingham and Peterborough both scoring limited the damage but Everton were expensive losers.

When playing at a short price it is important to have absolutely everything in place. Where I went wrong with Everton was in supposing that they would be flat-out against Swansea and I rather doubt that this was the case. Under-achievers, they are not truly going anywhere in the Premier League and the second leg of the League Cup tie against Man City must have meant a great deal, especially to senior players with the chance of a Wembley appearance.

Of course, they might have beaten Swansea anyway but they looked half-hearted to me and everything went badly wrong when they lost to City anyway, unlucky though they undoubtedly were with the ‘goal’ that made it 2-1.

I think two things: firstly, Swansea picked up three vital points but will still struggle to get clear and I shall oppose them over the coming weeks; and secondly, I’m prepared to back Everton to put thigs right betting-wise, even though it means taking a short price in the FA Cup tie at Carlisle. The letter were flooded out and have to rely on friendly Lancashire neighbours staging their home games. I think they will give this a brave shot but find themselves outclassed and, just this once, I’d back Everton at 8/15, but no shorter, with Betfred.

Otherwise I’m looking at FA Cup draws to small stakes. Palace cannot score at present but will make things hard for Stoke, who need to bounce back from the League Cup exit at Liverpool. I think this will be low scoring.

Watford can take Forest back to Vicarage Road and Oxford v Blackburn is one of those ‘anonymous’ ties where everyone wonders afterwards why they didn’t back a routine, low-key draw.

Liverpool are poor defensively and the celebrations the other night should not disguise the fact that they have a very long way to go to trouble the top three or four clubs. They will need to beat West Ham at the first time of asking but the vistors look a handy side under Slaven Bilic and can take the Reds back to the Boleyn for an East End knees-up.

EVERTON 75 units at 8/15 to beat Carlisle

4 x 15 unit trebles, 1 x 20 units accumulator, THE DRAWS:

C Palace v Stoke