CAN Everton be trusted? And can they be trusted at odds of just 4-7.
We'll find out the answer tonight and I suspect for once it could be yes.
The Goodison Park side have let punters down on several occasions this season at odds on – most recently at home to Reading in the FA Cup last week.
But Davie Moyes' men showed some heart by falling behind at Newcastle then battling back to win in some style at the weekend.
Now they face a Birmingham side who went from the high of a Carling Cup success to a low of losing at home to West Brom and falling back into the drop zone.
Alex McLeish has been hit by injuries to key players and was desperate to have midfield anchorman Barry Ferguson back after breaking ribs in the Wembley win but he'll have to wait until Saturday against Bolton at the earliest.
I was impressed by Mikel Arteta in Everton's win and the former Rangers midfielder can pile on the misery for ex-Ibrox boss McLeish with a repeat performance.
Arteta ran the show and with his deadball skills could be the player to back at 9-1 with Ladbrokes to score first.
The firm make him 3-1 to net at any time. Louis Saha, who missed a couple laid on to a plate for him by Arteta, is 9-2 at Paddy Power with the in-form Jermain Beckford 11-2 with bet365 and Chandler.
Birmingham's cup final goal heroes Nikica Zigic, who is a doubt, and Obafemi Martins are 11-1 and 10-1 respectively at bet365.
Ladbrokes and Paddy Power are among those who go 4-7 Everton while Birmingham are 6-1 with 888sport.
Both sides are prone to losing goals so consider both to score at 5-4 with William Hill. Both not to score is 4-6 with bodog.
Recommendation
Arteta to score (3-1, Ladbrokes)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
