Everton travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup with a place in the last 8 on the line. Everton booked their place in the last 16 courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win away at lower league side Carlislie United. Bournemouth also booked their place in the last 16 with a win against a lower league side away from home defeating Portsmouth 2-1. Both sides are coming off pretty disappointing results last weekend, Everton, despite attempting 34 shots, suffered a bitterly disappointing 1-0 home loss to West Brom, a result which burst any hopes of a mini-revival. Bournemouth also suffered a poor home loss losing to a struggling Stoke City 3-1. With the FA Cup the only really thing Everton can accomplish out of the season, and also the fact they don’t play until March, it wouldn’t be surprising if they went with a full strength side, as for Bournemouth, survival in the Premier League is their priority and will be interesting to see how Howe manages it.
Bournemouth Team News:
Eddie Howe has fielded weakened sides in the two previous FA Cup rounds, and as mentioned, with Premier League survival first and foremost, Howe could stick with the majority of the XI that has got them to the last 16. As for injuries, the only injuries of concern are long term knee injuries to Callum Wilson, Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings.
Possible Starting XI: Boruc, Smith, Distin, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Ritchie, Iturbe, Arter, King, Grabban
Player to watch: Matt Ritchie
The midfielder has been a work horse for this Bournemouth side, and a big reason to why they are having a pretty successful first season in the Premier League. The midfielder came off the bench on the weekend, and managed to score the consolation goal for Bournemouth, and given how much his side struggled without him, it would be a shock if he isn’t straight back into the starting XI.
Everton Team News:
Deadline day signing Oumar Niasse, who has yet to be included in a matchday squad has been training well, but it was revealed he suffered a wrist injury, which has hampered his progress, but he could be in line to make his long awaited debut. John Stones has a chance to return from a hamstring injury, but it is still too early for Mo Besic, who is still at least 1-2 weeks away. Hibbert and Browning are still long term absentees with knee injuries. With the FA Cup seemingly the sole priority, and the fact that Everton don’t play next until March, it would be a shock if Martinez didn’t go with a full strength side.
Possible Starting XI: Robles, Coleman, Baines, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Cleverley, Lennon, Lukaku
Player to watch: Romelu Lukaku
After a spell where he couldn’t stop scoring, Lukaku’s goals have dried up a little bit, and last weekend against West Brom was a mere bystander as he didn’t get enough space from the West Brom defenders. Still, Lukaku has the talent to become one of the world’s best strikers. If Everton hope to end their 20 year trophy drought this season, a lot will fall on the shoulders of Lukaku to do so.
Match Facts & Stats
1. If the league game was any indicator, it should be a cracking game. The two sides played out a 3-3 draw at the Vitality Stadium which included a 95th min goal from Everton, which everyone thought was the winner, only for Bournemouth to score a 98th min equaliser.
2. The sides have only met once in the FA Cup, which came back in 1937 where Everton were 5-0 victors.
3. Everton will be looking to reach their 4th FA Cup quarter final in the last 5 years.
4. Bournemouth are in the 5th round for the first time in 27 years, and only the 4th time in their 126 year history
5. Bournemouth have lost 3 of their last 4 home games, whereas Everton have only lost once in their 9 last away games.
Match Prediction:
With the disappointing League Cup exit at the hands of Man City last month, and the continuing disappointing league season, the FA Cup is all that remains for Everton to salvage something from this season. As mentioned, with the Merseyside Derby postponed, Everton don’t play till March, so they can attack this game at full strength, and because of that, and the fact that I think Everton are a much better side away from home, I think Everton can advance to the quarters. Saying that, it certainly won’t be easy, Bournemouth themselves would be looking at a cup run, and with the fans behind them, they will have the belief to do it. But I think Everton will win 3-2. COYB!!! NEED TO END THIS TROPHY DROUGHT!!!
Next Fixtures:
With Liverpool participating in the League Cup final next weekend, Everton are off until March 1.