*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Everton have an excellent chance to reach the last-16 of the FA Cup against one of the worst teams in the Championship and will want to avoid the mistakes that saw them need penalties to get past Rotherham in the 3rd round. Carlo Ancelotti’s side haven’t kicked a ball since their 2-1 win over Wolves on January 12, so the Italian should field a strong side against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday to help his players rediscover their match sharpness ahead of a game with Leicester in midweek.
Sunday 8pm: Everton v Sheffield Wednesday
BT Sport 1
Everton (-1)
Everton have had a weirdly relaxing period considering the fixture list has been more congested than ever before over the last month or so, but a series of COVID-19 cases at Man City and Aston Villa have afforded Ancelotti’s side some respite. They should be raring to go on Sunday and there is no excuse for them not winning this handily.
Sheffield Wednesday, to their credit, have won four of their last five games in all competitions after previously going on a nine-game winless run, but they also haven’t played a league game since January 2 and still remain in the bottom three.
They remain under the direction of interim manager Neil Thompson for Sunday’s game and frankly, they have bigger fish to fry as they bid to save their Championship status. The Toffees should go marching on without any real problems on Sunday and we’re backing Everton (-1) on the handicap.
Richarlison to score anytime
While Everton have flourished under Ancelotti this season, Richarlison has somewhat struggled to find his goalscoring touch. The Brazilian has scored just two goals in 13 league appearances for Everton this season, last scoring in the 2-0 win over Leicester in mid-December, while he has also bagged three League Cup goals for the Toffees.
He was left out of Everton’s win over Rotherham as Ancelotti experimented with his side but is likely to play some part on Sunday. Ancelotti will want to avoid going to penalties against a Championship club again, especially with that game against Leicester coming up, while he will also want his players to get back in the groove with a convincing win under their belts.
Sunday marks a great opportunity for Richarlison to Score Anytime and improve his disappointing goal tally ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in the league and he should seize that chance with both hands with Dominic Calvert-Lewin likely to miss out through injury.
Everton to win to nil
Everton haven’t kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games in all competitions but have a good opportunity to improve that record on Sunday when they face a Sheffield Wednesday side that boast the joint-worst goalscoring record in the Championship.
Wednesday have scored just 15 goals in 23 games – a record only matched by Derby County – and it it’s easy to see why they find themselves in a relegation battle. Everton’s defensive record is reasonably good in spite of their recent troubles keeping a clean sheet.
Their record of 21 goals conceded is only bettered by four clubs – Man City, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Aston Villa – and they really should be targeting a shut out on Sunday with Everton To Win To Nil.
Tips for Everton v Sheffield Wednesday
Everton (-1)
Richarlison to Score Anytime
Everton To Win To Nil
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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