Everton welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park in a huge tie to conclude the Quarter-Final stage of 2020-21 Carabao Cup.
Everton are looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2015-16 season and for the second time in six seasons.
Man Utd are looking to feature in the final four for the second consecutive season which would be their first consecutive semi-final appearances since a five season run between 2008-10 seasons.
Team News
Andre Gomes is in contention to feature for Everton after recovering from a knock to his hamstring which forced him to miss Saturday’s win over Arsenal.
James Rodriguez also missed that game as he continues to battle a calf injury and will again be absent despite nearing full fitness.
Allan (hamstring), Lucas Digne (ankle), Jean-Phillipe Gbamin (Achilles) and Fabian Delph (hamstring) are still ruled out indefinitely.
Man Utd could rest Luke Shaw after the fullback was replaced by Alex Telles on the hour mark of Sunday’s 6-2 victory over Leeds due to fatigue.
Scott McTominay suffered a suspected groin injury in the first minute of injury time and is a doubt as he looks set to join Marcos Rojo (calf) and Phil Jones (knee) on sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Everton have lost just one of three previous League Cup meetings against Manchester United (W2, L1), with that loss coming in their home tie against the Red Devils in this competition in 1993-94 season.
- Man Utd have met Everton just once in the League Cup Quarters, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford in December 1976, with Toffees eventually losing 3-2 to Everton in the Final after a second replay which was held at the Red Devils’ ground.
- Richarlison has scored three goals in two League Cup appearances for Everton this season.
- Juan Mata has scored in each of Man Utd’s two League Cup games this season.
- Everton have scored in each of their last seven League Cup home games at Goodison Park since losing 2-0 to Norwich in September 2016, scoring 18 goals across those matches.
Prediction
Everton might of lost to Man Utd last month but they’re now in better form than they were went with clinical displays in their last three matches, especially when attacking because they have showed renew confidence in their play going forward.
Man Utd meanwhile were just ruthless in Sunday’s win over Leeds with immense pressing from the first whistle, mixed with robust defending despite conceding from a set piece and momentary lapse of man marking.
I am therefore expecting a physical encounter here because if Man Utd start like they played on Sunday, I can see Everton deploying the counter strategy which has served them well in recent games against top teams but I have a feeling that Utd might just edge this.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Leave a Reply