DAVID Moyes believes the winners of today's Reebok shoot-out will be virtually guaranteed a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

The Everton manager still expects the battle for a top six place to go the distance, but believes his duel with Sam Allardyce could be a defining moment for one of them.

Everton, currently lying sixth, one place and three points behind Wanderers, are determined to close the gap, but Moyes knows points won't be easy to come by at the Reebok.

"The game will have a big say in what happens in the race for Europe," he said.

"It is as tough a game as you get in the Premier League.

"Sam's sides are hard to break down and they have had another great season. He keeps churning out sides that get good results and they stay in the top half of the division."

Although certain rival managers have poured scorn on the style of play Allardyce has sometimes adopted to achieve those results, Moyes has nothing but praise for his old adversary.

"Football is played in many different ways," he said. "There is no one way that you have to play it. The important thing is getting results. I've said before that I'd like to play like Manchester United or Arsenal but you have to make the best of the hand you are dealt.

"Bolton have really good forward players. Kevin Davies is back in their side now and he is a catalyst for a lot of their good play. But they have others, such as Anelka and Diouf."

Midfielder Lee Carsley is expected to get the all-clear after suffering a head wound in Friday night's 4-1 victory over Fulham which briefly saw Everton leapfrog Wanderers into fifth place. But Manuel Fernandes and Vicor Anichebe are struggling to be fit.