Everton welcome Peterborough United to Goodison Park as the third round of the FA Cup kicks off. Manager Sean Dyche faces mounting pressure after a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth left his side alarmingly close to the relegation zone. Peterborough United meanwhile, arrive as underdogs but with ambitions to advance and manage a win over a struggling Everton.
With just one win in their last 11 games fan frustrations are growing over Dyche’s tactics. The Toffees attacking struggles are also a problem, scoring only one goal from open play in their last 10 matches. A loss here could seal Dyche's fate especially if Everton yet again fail offensively. Everton's FA Cup record also offers little encouragement with just one win in their last five matches in the competition. Their last triumph in the tournament came in 1995 and they have made only two trips to Wembley since. However, they have a strong record against lower league opposition winning 14 of their last 15 ties against teams outside the Premier League.
Darren Ferguson’s side sits 19th in League One after a poor run of form taking just four points from their last nine league matches. However, their FA Cup campaign has been a goal fest, with thrilling wins over Newport County (4-2) and Notts County (4-3). They do also have history with Everton, losing 2-1 in a League Cup game in 2006. Peterborough’s attacking form is a bright spot with their last eight FA Cup matches averaging 4.8 goals per game. A victory here could also match their best ever run in the competition, a quarter final appearance in 1964. Defensively, Peterborough are the worst in League One with them conceding 46 times so far.
Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman remain sidelined while Dominic Calvert-Lewin faces a late fitness test, Youssef Chermiti is also unavailable. Additional concerns include Tim Iroegbunam and Armando Broja.
Kwame Poku, a key player with 15 goal contributions this season, is unavailable. First choice goalkeeper Jed Steer remains doubtful, so Nicholas Bilokapic is expected to deputize again. Rio Adebisi and Mahamadou Susoho are also injury concerns.
Everton possible lineup: Virginia; Patterson, Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Mangala, Armstrong; Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye
Peterborough United possible lineup: Bilokapic; Johnston, Wallin, Fernandez, Katongo, Hayes; De Havilland, Kyprianou, Collins; Mothersille, Jones
EVERTON VS PETERBOROUGH
2.09
TOTAL, OVER 3.5
