Middlesbrough vs Everton: Preview & Prediction

Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough will be looking to cause yet another shock as they host Everton in a Capital One Cup quarter-final at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro, who defeated Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup, knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last-16 to get to this stage for the second time in four years.

The Teesiders, who are second in the Championship, two points behind leaders Brighton, have good pedigree in this competition having won it in 2004 and reached the final in 1997 and 1998.

Middlesbrough celebrate winning at Old Trafford

To stand a chance of reaching the final this time round they’ll have to see of an Everton side who are aiming to win the League Cup for the first time.

Roberto Martinez’s side are enjoying a decent campaign, in which they sit ninth in the Premier League following a dramatic 3-3 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.

In this competition, the Toffees have seen off Barnsley, Reading and Norwich on their way to reaching the last-eight for just the second time in 28 years.

Roberto Martinez’s is hoping to become the first Everton boss to win the League Cup

And the Merseyside Blues will be confident of taking another step closer to Wembley as aside from being a step above on the footballing ladder, they have lost just two of their last 14 matches against Middlesbrough.

Team News:

Boro have a fully fit squad and striker Cristhian Stuani, who is the competition’s joint-top scorer with four goals, could make his first start since recovering from injury.

For Everton, Joel Robles will start in goal after performing well in the previous three rounds, but both James McCarthy (groin) and Gareth Barry (shin) are doubts.

Last Meeting: Everton 2-1 Middlesbrough (March 8, 2009)
Key Players: Middlesbrough – Stewart Downing; Everton – Ross Barkley
Form: Middlesbrough – WWWLWW; Everton – LWWDWD
Shoot Says: Middlesbrough 1-2 Everton