Date: Saturday, 25 January 2014; Venue: Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Kickoff: 17:15 GMT Everton and Stevenage have already done battle this season with the Toffees needing extra time to advance from their Capital One Cup second round tie. That first ever meeting proved significant because the winner was Marouane Fellaini's last goal for Everton before joining Manchester United for a reported £27.5 million. Roberto Martinez has not looked back since, however, and must pit his wits against Graham Westley again this time at Broadhall Way in the FA Cup fourth round. Stevenage forward Luke Freeman gave his team a shock lead at Goodison Park in August. The Toffees must look to other sources for goals when they meet on Saturday teatime as not only is Fellaini gone, but they are without their other scorer from that day Gerard Deulofeu. Westley's side are bottom of League One and four points from safety with the second worst goal difference in the division. Stevenage have only two wins in their last six home games. One of those came in the second round against non-league Stourbridge. Recent losses to relegation rivals Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Bristol City have deepened the gloom, so this cup run is a welcome distraction. Everton's form meanwhile is ominous. The Merseyside outfit have lost just three times are all season and are five unbeaten since the home Boxing Day defeat by Sunderland. Martinez's men also boast the joint second best defence in the Premier League with Chelsea only leaders Asenal have conceded fewer.
Team News
Stevenage winger Filipe Morais should shake off a dead leg to keep his place. Midfielder Dean Parrett is a major doubt, however, with a knee injury. The Toffees meanwhile are missing seven squad members. Right back Seamus Coleman picked up a hamstring problem in Everton's last outing. He joins Antolin Alcaraz (muscle), Ross Barkley (broken toe), Deulofeu (hamstring), Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone (both knee), and Steven Pienaar (groin) on the sidelines. Martinez is expected to name a strong line-up to try and get the tie won without a reply. The likes of Leighton Baines, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas should figure. Aiden McGeady may be in line for a full Toffees debut. Source: BBC
Likely Line-Ups
Stevenage: 16 Chris Day, 20 Jimmy Smith, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Jon Ashton, 29 Pete Hartley, 7 Filipe Morais, 24 Michael Doughty, 14 Simon Heslop, 15 Luke Freeman, 12 Francois Zoko, 11 Lucas Akins 4-4-2 Everton: 1 Joel Robles, 2 Tony Hibbert, 6 Phil Jagielka, 15 Sylvain Distin, 3 Leighton Baines, 16 James McCarthy, 18 Gareth Barry, 11 Kevin Mirallas, 21 Leon Osman, 7 Aiden McGeady, 17 Romelu Lukaku 4-2-3-1
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
