Everton kick off their 2024/25 FA Cup campaign on Thursday night. in the third round against Peterborough of League One.
Sean Dyche seems to have been under constant pressure at Goodison Park, his seat getting a little warmer at the start of 2025 with the Toffees suffering back-to-back defeats.
Everton they’ve been forced to deal with an extremely tough schedule over the past month, with their last win coming over a month ago on December 4th. This is simply a must win for the 1995 FA Cup winners.
The underdogs enter Thursday’s competition in miserable form and ready to fight relegation in the third period. Peterborough are currently 19th in League One and have failed to win any of their previous five games. After finishing sixth and fourth in consecutive seasons, Posh have had drastically poorer results so far in the 2024/25 season.
Darren Ferguson’s side have progressed beyond the third round of this competition just three times since 2009.
Here 90 minutes a guide to Thursday FA Cup clash in the third round.
Everton vs Peterborough H2H record (all matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Everton |
Peterborough |
|---|---|
|
Bournemouth 1-0 Everton – 01.04.25 |
Wrexham 1-0 Peterborough – 01.04.25 |
|
Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 29.12.24 |
Burton Albion 2-2 Peterborough – 1.1.25 |
|
Man City 1-1 Everton – 26.12.24 |
Peterborough 1-3 Barnsley – 29.12.24 |
|
Everton 0-0 Chelsea – 22.12.24 |
Peterborough 0-3 Mansfield – 26.12.24 |
|
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 14.12.24 |
Stockport 2-1 Peterborough – 20.12.24 |
|
Earth |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
BBC Sport Web, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button |
|
United States |
ESPN+, the ESPN app |
|
Canada |
Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Everton have been without Dwight McNeil for the past month, with Dyche confirming the wide midfielder will not be available for Thursday’s cup tie. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also be sidelined after picking up a knock on his ankle in training.
With Armando Broja out after picking up an injury at Bournemouth, Beto will get the upper hand if Calvert-Lewin doesn’t risk it.
Seamus Coleman, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam remain sidelined for the hosts, while young striker Youssef Chermiti has suffered a setback in his recovery from a muscle injury.
Predicted line-up for Everton vs Peterborough (4-4-1-1): Virginia; Patterson, Keane, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Harrison, Mangala, Armstrong, Ndiaye; Doucoure; Beto.
Australian wicketkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic is set for another start between the sticks, with number one Jed Steer a doubt with injury.
Kwame Poku’s absence is a major blow for the visitors given his importance in the final third, with Posh also likely to be without Rio Adebisi and Mahamadou Susoho.
Sam Curtis recently returned to Sheffield United following the end of his loan spell.
Peterborough predicted lineup against Everton (4-4-1-1): Bilokapić; Johnston, Wallin, Fernandez, Katongo, Hayes; De Havilland, Kyprianou, Collins; Mothersille, Jones.
Posh’s ability to pull off an upset will be hampered by Poku’s absence, but this tie gives the visitors a chance to let their hair down after a difficult month in League One.
There is room for the visitors to prevail here given Everton’s persistent gloom, and Goodison Park will no doubt turn on Dyche unless they win nicely.
This is a loss for the home team, who are rarely expected to win, and will likely stutter to victory.
Prediction: Everton 1-0 Peterborough
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