Everton vs. Southampton: Preview and prediction

Everton host Southampton in the Carabao Cup at Goodison Park on Tuesday, with a place in the fourth round at stake.

Everton are yet to win a single Premier League game and their performances have been mediocre. Their EFL Cup third round clash against Southampton is a golden opportunity for Everton to bounce back with a positive result in the cup competitions and it remains to be seen if they can pick up an important win here.

Southampton are also yet to win a single game in the Premier League and believe a win here could give them the confidence and momentum to get their season back on track. The Saints don't want to be knocked out of the cup competition so early and fancy themselves in a position to face a vulnerable Everton side.

Both teams are fairly evenly matched and this should be an exciting contest. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the matchup ahead of the latest meeting between the two teams.

Team news and tactics

Everton

Everton are battling a number of injury problems. Armando Broja is out with a calf injury, Nathan Patterson is out with a thigh injury, Jarrad Branthwaite is unavailable with a groin injury, Dele Alli is struggling with a groin injury, Youssef Chermiti is out with an ankle problem, while Seamus Coleman is struggling with a calf injury.

The home team will likely line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Jordan Pickford in goal. Mason Holgate and Vitaliy Mykolenko will start as full-backs. They will look to provide cover for the team in defence and also support them on the counter-attack.

James Tarkowski will start alongside Michael Keane in central defence. Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil will start on the outside positions. They will look to add pace and creativity from the flanks.

James Garner and Idrissa Gueye should play together in midfield. They will look to provide the team with security in defence. Abdoulaye Doucoure will start as a central attacking midfielder and provide momentum to the midfield. Beto will lead the attacking line in Everton's match against Southampton on Tuesday.

Expected formation (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Holgate, Tarkovsky, Keane, Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Beto

Southampton

The away team will be without Gavin Bazunu, who has suffered a long-term Achilles tendon injury. Kamaldeen Sulemana, meanwhile, has an ankle injury and Jack Stephens is suspended after receiving a red card.

Southampton will line up against Everton in a 3-5-2 formation, with Alex McCarthy in goal. In the back three, Taylor Harwood-Bellis will start alongside Jan Bednarek and Nathan Wood. Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters will start as full-backs. They will look to help in attack and protect the central defence.

In midfield, Joe Aribo will start alongside Flynn Downes and Will Smallbone. They will look to dominate the midfield and control the tempo of the game. Adam Armstrong will start alongside Ben Brereton Diaz in the strike duo.

Expected formation (3-5-2): McCarthy; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Aribo, Smallbone, Downes, Walker-Peters; Armstrong, Diaz

Key statistics

• Everton have lost four of their last five games in all competitions.
• Southampton have lost four of their last five games in all competitions.
• Everton and Southampton have each won three of their last six meetings.
• In the last six meetings between these two teams, 15 goals have been scored.
• Everton have conceded 13 goals in their last five games and Southampton have conceded 11 in that time.

Players in focus

Beto

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The Everton striker is our key player to watch out for. The Englishman got on the scoresheet against Doncaster Rovers in the last round and will be looking to continue his impressive form in the League Cup.

With his mobility and accurate finishing, he could cause plenty of problems for Southampton's vulnerable defence and Everton will need to capitalise on his performance and ability if they are to progress to the next round of the competition.

Everton – Southampton 2:1

Both teams are fairly evenly matched and it is likely to be a close game. It will be hard to separate the two teams but Everton are the better team on paper and should be able to get a positive result at home. The home fans will be looking for a strong response from the players after their recent performances and a narrow win is possible for the Toffees.