Carlo Ancelotti believes the trip to Sheffield United on Boxing Day is an 'important match' for Everton to continue their fight for Champions League football.
Everton sit fourth in the Premier League table after three consecutive victories but head to Bramall Lane on the back of a disappointing Carabao Cup exit to Manchester United in midweek.
Ancelotti has confirmed he will be without James Rodriguez - who remains sidelined with a calf complaint - while Lucas Digne, Allan and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are also unavailable.
Sheffield United sit bottom of the Premier League and winless in 14 matches yet the Everton manager was impressed by their draw at Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend when they played the majority of the game with 10 men.
But Ancelotti is hoping to pile on the misery for Chris Wilder and recover quickly from the defeat to Manchester United.
He said: "We have to move on.
"We are disappointed, but we performed, as I said, and we have to be able to recover the energy we need to play against Sheffield United because it will be a tough match, an important match.
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"We want to keep our position in the Premier League, it is a good position. Sheffield United did a fantastic game against Brighton because they were with 10 men and fought really well so it will be an important game.
"They need points. We need points. All the teams need points! As usual it will be like this because every game you need to fight for a result."
