Carabao Cup team news and prediction: Everton vs Man Utd
The last of the four Carabao Cup quarter-finals will see Everton face Manchester United in an all-Premier League affair.
Brentford and Manchester City qualified for the semi-finals on Tuesday night, with Championship side Stoke hosting Tottenham in Wednesday's other quarter-final.
Ahead of the final match before Christmas, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including team news, where you can watch the game and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 23rd December, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Goodison Park, Liverpool
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event
Route to Quarter-Finals
Everton have been free-scoring en route to the last eight, netting 12 times across their previous three matches in the competition. The Toffees opened up with a 3-0 win over lower league Salford before thrashing Fleetwood 5-2 on the road before easing past Premier League rivals West Ham 4-1 in the last round back in September.
Manchester United, who entered the competition one round later than Everton, have won back-to-back games over Luton and Brighton by 3-0 scorelines to set up a quarter-final tie with Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Team News
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he is taking this competition seriously and will name his strongest possible XI, though star creator James Rodriguez is ruled out alongside left-back Lucas Digne. Seamus Coleman returned from injury at the weekend and provides a boost on Everton's right side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also determined to win this competition but has no choice but to rotate given Manchester United are currently in the process of playing three times in six days. Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay have been ruled out. The likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Dean Henderson can expect starts, while Solskjaer even confirmed Jesse Lingard is in the frame.
Probable XIs
Everton (4231): Olsen; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey; Doucoure, Davies; Iwobi, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Man Utd (4231): Henderson; Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Telles; Matic, Pogba; Mata, Van de Beek, Rashford; Cavani
Key Battle: Dominic Calvert-Lewin vs Edinson Cavani
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's flying start to the season has been one of many surprises in 2020/21. Carlo Ancelotti has turned the Everton striker into a prolific goalscorer and the Toffees may soon find themselves fending off interest from the likes of Manchester United for his signature. Calvert-Lewin already has 11 goals in 14 Premier League appearances this season, only two shy of his tally from the whole of last season (36 appearances).
While Calvert-Lewin's career is only just starting, his opposite number on Wednedsay night has seen it all. Edinson Cavani is expected to make his comeback from injury with a start in midweek at the ground where he scored his first goal for Manchester United earlier this season. Cavani is a role model striker for any young forward to look up to. With key creator Bruno Fernandes expected to be rested, Cavani's movement in and around the box will be even more key for United to carve open goalscoring opportunities.
Match Prediction: Everton 1-1 Man Utd
