Chelsea v Everton: Will Rafa get a great send off?
Rafa Benitez has never been a popular figure with the Chelsea fans. They have harangued him ever since he walked through the doors at Stamford Bridge but the Spaniard has done everything that was asked of him and more. So will the Blues finally give the former Liverpool boss the respect he deserves?
Under Benitez Chelsea have secured their place back in the top four, reached the FA Cup semi-final and won the Europa League. And, apart from his opening game against Man City, there has never been a dull moment with Rafa in charge.
David Moyes will also take charge of his last game in charge of Everton this afternoon before joining Manchester United in the summer, so both managers will want to end their campaigns as winners. A draw may be welcome at Everton, but it could lead to a third/fourth place play-off if Arsenal get the right result at Newcastle.
Of course there has been talk of Benitez possibly taking over from Moyes at Goodison Park although quite how that would go down on Merseyside is up for debate. On paper Benitez's CV is right up there with the best of them, but his links to Liverpool may make it impossible for him to end up at Goodison. However, if they want a winner, Rafa may be their man.
Benitez is certainly odds on to get the win today.
Chelsea v Everton; Kick Off 4pm May 19 2013
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Apoorva Ankur |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man United |
Peter Johnstone |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Peter Holland |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Spurs |
Adam Crawford |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
0 |
V |
0 |
Panel Verdict
Home win.
Home: 19; Draw: 6; Away: 2. TBA 7.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
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