Smith fears the hunger of Fowler and Kewell
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Your support makes all the difference.Walter Smith is hoping that Robbie Fowler will still be looking for his first goal for Leeds United come 9.40pm tonight.
Smith is well aware Fowler has yet to break his duck for Leeds and the Everton manager knows it would give the former Liverpool forward great pleasure to score that first goal against the club he supported as a boy.
"We certainly hope that after the game on Wednesday he is still looking for that first goal," Smith said. "He is a lad whose goalscoring record speaks for itself and we will have to keep an eye on him."
Fowler, however, is not the only Leeds player causing Smith concern. "Leeds have a few players who are capable of winning the game," he said. "Harry Kewell on his own can turn a match. Leeds just have something a little different when he plays." The Australian, now fully fit, is back to his best form and has scored four goals in his last three games for Leeds.
History also seems to favour Leeds United. Everton have not won a League game at Elland Road since 1951. And current form hardly suggests Smith's side are about to alter that statistic. Everton have not won away in the Premiership since the opening day of the season at Charlton.
However, Smith remains undaunted by the historical precedent. "It is a very difficult place to go and pick up points," Smith said. "There might have been occasions over this time when Everton have felt they were unlucky not to win, but the basis of it must be that we have not been good enough to win there and we have to go with that.
"As long as we acquit ourselves well that's the main thing. I have felt on the last couple of occasions that we have gone there, we have played well enough but haven't got a win so we will have to make that our target."
Everton will be without Thomas Gravesen, who has a head wound, and Alan Stubbs, who has a thigh injury, tonight. Alessandro Pistone will have a fitness check on his back injury and Smith is likely to bring the makeshift striker Steve Watson back into defence and start Joe-Max Moore up front.
David Weir will be suspended for Saturday's trip to Sunderland after Everton failed in their appeal to have his red card against Fulham overturned.
* A number of Everton stewards will sit among the away fans at Elland Road tonight in an attempt to stop any racist behaviour by supporters as part of a new initiative by the club.
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