Everton start the 2024/25 FA Cup season on Thursday evening and face League One team Peterborough in the third round.
Sean Dyche has seemingly been under constant pressure at Goodison Park and his place has warmed up a bit at the start of 2025 as the Toffees suffered two defeats in a row.
Everton have faced an exceedingly tough schedule over the last month, with their last win coming over a month ago on December 4th. For the 1995 FA Cup winners, this victory is simply a must.
Thursday’s outsider is entering the competition in terrible form and is threatening to fight against relegation in the third third. Peterborough are currently 19th in League One and have failed to win any of their last five games. After finishing sixth and fourth in two successive seasons, the Posh have so far fallen well short of expectations in the 2024/25 season.
Since 2009, Darren Ferguson’s side have only made it past the third round of this competition three times.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Thursday’s FA Cup third round clash.
Everton vs. Peterborough H2H Record (All Games)
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 – 12/29/24 | Burton Albion 2-2 Peterborough – 01/01/25 |
Man City 1-1 Everton – 12/26/24 | Peterborough 1-3 Barnsley – 12/29/24 |
Everton 0-0 Chelsea – 12/22/24 | Peterborough 0-3 Mansfield – 12/26/24 |
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 12/14/24 | Stockport 2-1 Peterborough – 20/12/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | BBC Sport Web, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button |
United States | ESPN+, ESPN app |
Canada | Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Everton were without Dwight McNeil last month and Dyche confirmed the wide midfielder will not be available for Thursday’s cup game. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also being monitored after suffering a knock to his ankle in training.
With Armando Broja missing after picking up an injury at Bournemouth, Beto will move up front if Calvert-Lewin is not risked.
Seamus Coleman, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam all remain out of action for the hosts, while young striker Youssef Chermiti has suffered a setback in his recovery from a muscle injury.
Predicted Everton line-up against Peterborough (4-4-1-1):Virginia; Patterson, Keane, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Harrison, Mangala, Armstrong, Ndiaye; Doucour; Beto.
Australian goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic is set for another start between the sticks, with number one Jed Steer’s injury a doubt.
The absence of Kwame Poku is a huge blow to the visitors given his importance in the final third, with the Posh also likely to be without Rio Adebisi and Mahamadou Susoho.
Sam Curtis recently returned to Sheffield United after his loan spell ended.
Predicted line-up for Peterborough vs Everton (4-4-1-1): Bilokapic; Johnston, Wallin, Fernandez, Katongo, Hayes; de Havilland, Kyprianou, Collins; Mothersille, Jones.
The Posh’s ability to cause an upset will be hampered by Pokus’ absence, but this cup game offers the visitors a chance to unwind after a difficult month in League One.
Given Everton’s continued dismal state, the visitors have scope to prevail here and Goodison Park will undoubtedly attack Dyche if they don’t win comfortably.
This is a defeat for the hosts, who are very rarely expected to win, and they will probably stutter towards victory.