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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Phil Kirkbride & Connor O'Neill

Everton line-ups vs Sheffield Wednesday - James Rodriguez starts as Richarlison decision made

'Everton changes but strong side still expected'

Connor O'Neill: With a host of injuries to contend with, Evertonians can expect to see some changes for tonight’s FA Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Friday that the Blues will be without Lucas Digne, Alex Iwobi, Niels Nkounkou, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Allan and Fabian Delph for the tie.

But despite the injuries, Everton can still put out a team that should have more than enough to overcome their Championship opponents.

Given Robin Olsen started in the third round tie against Rotherham, one imagines the Sweden international will once again be given the nod tonight.

At the back, it is hard to see past Michael Keane partnering Yerry Mina at the heart of the defence, with Seamus Coleman at right-back, and Ben Godfrey at left-back.

Andre Gomes should be given the nod in the starting line-up at his impressive performance off the bench against Wolves, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gylfi Sigurdsson alongside him.

While out wide, one imagines James Rodriguez will start on the right, and Richarlison will start on the left, with the returning Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line.

My team (4-2-3-1) : Olsen; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Doucoure, Gomes; Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Rodriguez; Calvert-Lewin.

'Ben Godfrey comes in to strong line-up'

Phil Kirkbride: Ancelotti has promised to name a strong side for this fourth round tie - and so he should.

Everton squeezed past Rotherham in the third round so know they will need to be as strong as possible tonight.

That has to mean a front three of James Rodriguez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison for the first time since November.

Lucas Digne's absence is a blow but no longer fills Evertonians with the same dread knowing how well Ben Godfrey can deputise.

Abouldaye Doucoure, playing for the final time before his one-game Premier League ban, should start this round having come off the bench to score the winner against Rotherham.

My team (4-3-3): Olsen, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Doucoure, Davies, Sigurdsson; Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

'Anthony Gordon gets the nod with options from bench'

Sean Bradbury: This is the first of three home games in a week that could really shape the ambitions of Everton's season.

But it also includes a less-than-ideal Wednesday night to Saturday lunchtime turnaround for the matches against Leicester and Newcastle.

Ancelotti has already confirmed a considerable list of absentees for this one.

So with five subs available to him, the Blues boss should start strong and look to get things wrapped up as early as possible.

I would go with a backline of Seamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey, ahead of Robin Olsen in goal.

In midfield, it is a trio of Tom Davies, Andre Gomes and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

And up front, Dominic-Calvert Lewin starts and is flanked by James Rodriguez and Anthony Gordon.

Richarlison and Cenk Tosun can be introduced from the bench to mix it up as the tie goes on.

My team (4-3-3): Olsen; Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Godfrey; Doucoure, Davies, Gomes; Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Gordon.

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