Venue: Brunton Park
Date: 31/01/2016
Kick-off: 13:30 (BST)
TV: BT Sport 2, Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports GO
Online Streaming: FUBO TV, Sky Go
Match
Everton will be hopeful of bouncing back from their terrible week by returning to winning ways when they square off against League Two side Carlisle United at Brunton Park on Sunday, but the match is likely to be anything but a straightforward victory for the Toffees.
Everton were controversially dumped out of the Capital One Cup with a 3-1 defeat against Manchester City in midweek and while the Toffees faithful would have felt hard done by, manager Roberto Martinez has stated that he will not be allowing his players to feel sorry for themselves.
Up next for Everton is a FA Cup encounter against League Two side Carlisle United in the 4th Round of the FA Cup and the match has a potential to be another banana skin for Martinez’s men.
Everton Team News
Martinez fielded his strongest side during the midweek Capital One Cup encounter against Manchester City and given the grueling nature of the fixture, one can be sure that the Everton boss will be making changes to his lineup for Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Joel Robles should keep his place in goal but at the back, the likes of Leighton Baines and John Stones are expected to drop down to the bench in favour of Brendan Galloway and Seamus Coleman. Stones has come under a lot of fire for his poor performances in recent matches and as a result, the central defence should consist of Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori.
In midfield, Tom Cleverley should continue while veteran Gareth Barry is likely to be handed a much needed rest in favour of the returning James McCarthy. Out wide, Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas are expected to drop out for Aaron Lennon and Steven Pienaar.
Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku are sure to be rested as well and one should see veterans Leon Osman and Arouna Kone being handed a chance to start.
Probable Lineups
Carlisle United (Probable XI): Gillespie; Gillesphey, Ellis, Raynes, Atkinson; Dicker, Kennedy, Hery, Hope, Ibere; Wyke
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Galloway, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman; Cleverley, McCarthy, Lennon, Pienaar, Osman; Kone
Last Meeting
2/1/2010 Everton vs Carlisle United (FA Cup)
Prediction
There has been a lot of goodwill ahead of the clash as Everton’s fans’ forum have raised more than £7,000 to help with the repairing process of Brunton Park, which was left submerged following widespread floods across the city in December.
It is a miracle that Brunton Park is capable of hosting the game following the events of last month and one can be sure that the home side will be keen on making the day one to remember for the fans.
Despite their poor recent form, Everton should head into the clash as overwhelming favourites but the FA Cup is a competition known for upsets and Carlisle will be fancying their chances of earning at least a replay.
The match should be an interesting affair but Everton are capable of quashing any possibility of a fairy tale as their squad is simply too strong for Carlisle and the Toffees are likely to claim a comfortable victory on the day.
Carlisle United 1 – 3 Everton
