Everton will host Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, with a semi-final berth up for grabs.
Both sides will appreciate their chances given their debuts in their respective national campaigns. The Toffees are doing their own thing and are in fourth place in the Premier League after 14 games, tied on points with third-placed United who have one game in hand.
Everton have returned to form in recent weeks and are heading towards the quarter-finals on a three-game winning streak, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side played their best away football and won a record 10 games consecutive during their travels.
Here is 90 minspreview of the clash.
When does the kick-off take place? Wednesday 23 December
What time is the kick-off? 8:00 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Goodison park
TV channel / live broadcast? Sky Sports Main Event
The hosts are hoping to have James Rodriguez and Andre Gomes available for selection, although the pair’s injuries have left them in doubt for the clash.
Elsewhere, Everton have a number of long-term absentees. Lucas Digne is still out with ankle ligament damage, while Allan suffered a hamstring injury against Leicester and had to be stretched after just 39 minutes.
Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are also unavailable for the Toffees.
For the visitors, Scott McTominay came out with a groin injury against Leeds, ending an impressive performance on a bitter note and ruling him out of it. Luke Shaw was also swept away in the 6-2 win, meaning Alex Telles could do it again.
A quarter-final ready?#MUFC #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/rApQIB1MDH
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2020
Elsewhere United have a fit squad and are expected to turn, with Donny van de Beek, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Eric Bailly all available and looking for a start. Facundo Pellistri has impressed in the reserves so Solskjaer could also be tempted to include him in the squad.
Dean Henderson has won two clean sheets in each of United’s two previous Carabao Cup games so far and will likely get the nod again against David de Gea, despite a disappointing performance at Sheffield United last week.
Everton: Olsen; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey; Davies, Doucoure, Sigurdsson; Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
Manchester United: Henderson; Williams, Bailly, Maguire, Telles; Matic, Pogba; Mata, Van de Beek, James; Cavani.
Everton enter the game after a return to form, taking a 2-0 victory at Leicester and most recently a 2-1 home win over Arsenal.
Michael Keane has looked solid all season, but Yerry Mina has more recently stepped into his stride, while the return of experienced Seamus Coleman can only be positive. Ben Godfrey also impressed when called upon, being used as left-back in Digne’s absence.
United have also stepped up a gear recently, sending Everton to Goodison Park in early November with an impressive 3-1 victory.
They pulled off a much needed home win over Leeds and looked ruthless in attack, and although McTominay will be sorely missed, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were also in good shape this weekend. However, conceding twice still leaves question marks over their defensive stability, and the pressure will be on Henderson to relinquish his performance at Sheffield United if he starts.
Here’s how each team has performed in their previous five games.
Everton
Everton 2-1 Arsenal (19/12)
Leicester 0-2 Everton (16/12)
Everton 1-0 Chelsea (12/12)
Burnley 1-1 Everton (5/12)
Everton 0-1 Leeds (28/11)
Manchester United
Manchester United 6-2 Leeds (20/12)
Sheffield United 2-3 Manchester United (17/12)
Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City (12/12)
RB Leipzig 3-2 Manchester United (8/12)
West Ham 1-3 Manchester United (5/12)
Both teams advance to the quarter-finals in decent form and well positioned in the Premier League table on a busy Christmas schedule. Momentum is everything, and while a trophy is on the line, losing would also derail the hard work of Everton and United.
The Toffees have managed three massive results in their last three games, however, and appear to be a constant threat to anyone who has to face them. With the season as open as it is, they are as likely as anyone to finish in the top four.
Unfortunately for Everton, they will come up against a United side that have been downright exceptional away from home. While match-to-game consistency is always an issue for the Red Devils, they seem like a serious force to be reckoned with when they’re at their best and have proven to be incredibly resilient on the road.
Prediction: Everton 2-3 Manchester United
