Everton entertain Sunderland in the third round of this year’s FA Cup. Both teams are expected to make changes following a tough festive and New Year schedule. The Toffees have suffered two disappointing results at home this year. A 4-2 defeat against Brentford and a 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolves. Sunderland have been without six players due to AFCON, leaving manager Regis Le Bris with few options to freshen up his first team, leaving several looking tired during the defeat at Brentford in midweek.
While both would like a cup run, injuries, suspensions, the need to give players a rest, and give minutes to squad players is likely to see both field slightly weaker teams than usual. Here is the latest team news ahead of the game, and our predicted lineups.
FA Cup Third Round: Sunderland vs Everton Team News and Predicted Lineups
Everton Team News
Michael Keane and Jack Grealish will both miss the cup game due to suspension. Keane received a straight red, and Grealish two yellow cards during the home draw with Wolves. Nathan Patterson and Tyler Dibling are expected to take their place.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, and Charly Alcaraz are out injured, while the Senegal duo of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye are still involved at the African Cup of Nations.
Jordan Pickford is expected to be rested against his former club, with Mark Travers replacing him.
Sunderland Team News
Wilson Isidor, who has missed the last two games, is back in training and could feature. However, Regis Le Bris insists he won’t take any unnecessary risks with the striker or four of the six players who have returned this week from AFCON, but are yet to return to training.
Three players who played crucial roles in Sunderland’s promotion last season but have had limited minutes this campaign could get a start. Keeper Anthony Patterson, defender Luke O’Nien, and midfielder Dan Neil may get the chance to impress from the start.
Regis Le Bris on Selection
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Regis Le Bris gave an update on his squad. He said: “We will go strong whilst also balancing the load of our players. We don’t have a full picture of the squad yet, but we will select the best team possible.
“We respect the competition, so we want to go strong. Some players may need assessment and conversations about being rested, but every player wants to play. We have an enthusiasm and a connection to bounce back.”
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Everton Predicted Lineup
Travers
Patterson
Tarkowski
O’Brien
Mykolenko
Garner
Iroegbunam
Armstrong
Dibling
Beto
McNeil
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Patterson
Hume
O’Nien
Ballard
Cirkin
Geertruida
Neil
Rigg
Mundle
Adingra
Mayenda
Subs: Roefs, Mukiele, Xhaka, Jones, Tutierov, Isidor, Le Fee, Hjelde, Brobbey
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / NurPhoto
