2020-21 FA Cup: Fifth Round – Everton vs Tottenham

Everton welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park in a must-win Fifth Round tie in 2020-21 FA Cup.

Everton have advanced from four of their last five appearances in the Fifth Round, whereas Spurs are looking to progress beyond this stage for the fourth time from last six Fifth Round appearances – including this season

 

Team News

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James Rodriguez is a doubt for Everton after suffering a calf injury during Saturday’s comeback Premier League draw at Manchester United.

Jordan Pickford could return from a rib injury but Allan (hamstring) and Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Achilles) are still sidelined.

Tottenham could be without Serge Aurier after the defender suffered a knock in Sunday’s win over West Bromwich Albion.

Dele Alli (unspecified) could return but Giovani Lo Celso (thigh) and Sergio Reguilon (muscle) remain absent.

 

Stat Attack

• Everton have advanced from five of nine previous FA Cup ties against Tottenham despite their Fifth Round tie in 1936-37 season needing a replay (W5, D1, L4).
• Tottenham have won just two of six away FA Cup trips to Everton (W2, D1, L3).
• Three of Everton’s five FA Cup goals this season have come from strikers (Cenk Tosun, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison).
• Five of Spurs’ nine FA Cup goals this season have come before half time.
• Everton have won just two of their last six all Premier League encounters in FA Cup (W2, L4).

 

Prediction

Having crashed out of the League Cup in the Quarter-Finals, this does feel very much like last chance saloon for Everton if they’re to win a cup this season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees can though take heart from Saturday’s performance at Everton because they never gave up attacking wise, although poor man marking was their biggest issue which needs tightening up.

Tottenham meanwhile looked brighter than in recent games as they dominated West Brom on Sunday but wasted several chances, which will suit whoever is in goal for Everton given Robin Olsen’s recent performances despite Jordan Pickford likely to return in goal.

This therefore should be a good game but if Everton can repeat their spirit from Saturday, I am plumping for them to win here because Tottenham just look too unpredictable at present to make a comfortable prediction.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Tottenham

Result: Everton 5-4 Tottenham