Injuries to Have Major Impact on Everton v Tottenham FA Cup

Tottenham Hotspur travel to Merseyside for an all Premier League FA Cup fifth round match-up with Everton at Goodison Park. With both teams looking to capture some of their early season momentum as well as work toward ending long trophy droughts it should be a good game of football.

While neither team will be battling for the League title, they both at one point may have fancied, both teams are good enough to win the FA Cup and will want to advance to the quarterfinals. In a season that has seen ups and downs for both teams and lots of matches, it is the team that can best overcome the injuries that is most likely to advance.

Both Teams are Banged-Up

Harry Kane was a surprise return starter at the weekend for Tottenham Hotspur in their League win over West Bromwich Aldion. Kane both started and had a major impact on the outcome with a goal and some serious involvement in the lead-up to the second. Toffee faithful will be hopeful some of their starts are likewise able to make surprise returns to the team for the match.

Everton missing some stars

Allan, who has brought stability and steel to the midfield Everton midfield – much like Pierre Højbjerg for Tottenham – is likely out injured. That is good for Spurs and definitely puts more pressure on Tom Davies and Andre Gomes in the midfield. Allan is highly likely to miss the match but there are two other questionable stars who status will have a major impact on the outcome.

Keeper Jordan Pickford is doubtful for the match and given the less than inspiring display against Manchester United of back-up Robin Olsen, Everton fans will want Pickford back. Besides Pickford the other big question mark is on James Rodriguez. The Columbian superstar came off early with a calf knock against United, making him doubtful here, but then again no one expected Harry Kane to play this past Sunday.

Tottenham nursing several injuries too

Tottenham are also missing some key components to the team. Both regular starting fullbacks Sergio Reguilón – definitely out – and Serge Aurier – likely out – will probably miss the match. Ben Davies has been playing a ton of minutes of late and Matt Doherty has not been awe-inspiring himself, so it will be interesting to see if coach José Mourinho makes a change.

The other big Tottenham injuries are to Giovani Lo Celso, who is definitely still out, and the question marks surrounding Dele Alli. Based on José Mourinho’s press conference, it sounds like it is possible Dele could make the bench and have a run out, but no one should get upset if he is not in the starting XI after only a couple days of practice participation.

The bottom line is that both teams, like every team in world football are pretty banged up at this point in the season, especially this season. The team that is best able to overcome those injuries will be the team most likely to advance, in the battle of attrition that is part of the magic of the FA Cup.