The FA Cup third round is always a thrilling time in the football calendar, and this season’s clash between Everton and Peterborough United promises to be no different. As one of the traditional powerhouses of English football, Everton will be expected to overcome their League One opponents, but recent form suggests they cannot take the match lightly. With pressure mounting on manager Sean Dyche, the Toffees will be desperate for a positive result to lift the mood at Goodison Park.
Meanwhile, Peterborough United, struggling in the lower reaches of League One this season, will be looking to produce a shock result against Premier League opposition. Their poor form has left them facing the threat of relegation, but the FA Cup offers a chance for redemption, and a strong performance in this fixture could inject much-needed confidence into Darren Ferguson’s squad.
Everton’s Troubles and Dyche’s Pressure
A Difficult Start to 2025 for Everton
Everton enters this game under a cloud of negativity after a dismal run of results to start 2025. The Toffees have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, most recently a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on January 4. Before that, a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest and a string of other poor results have left Sean Dyche’s men in a precarious position.
With just one win in their last six matches in all competitions, the pressure on Dyche is intensifying. His side has been struggling for consistency, and the team’s inability to turn chances into goals has been a major issue. The Everton faithful have become increasingly impatient, and another slip-up, especially in a competition they have a storied history in, would not be well-received at Goodison Park.
Key Injuries and Absences
Everton’s injury list is also a concern heading into the match. Widely regarded as one of the club’s most consistent performers, Dwight McNeil has been sidelined for the past month with an injury and will not be available for Thursday’s cup tie. His creativity and ability to unlock defences will certainly be missed. Additionally, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been dealing with an ankle knock, and his participation will be a game-time decision. With Calvert-Lewin struggling, Armando Broja is also unavailable due to a recent injury sustained against Bournemouth, which means Beto is likely to lead the line if Calvert-Lewin is not risked.
Defenders Seamus Coleman and James Garner, as well as midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, will also be missing for the Toffees, further depleting Dyche’s options. This gives the manager limited flexibility to rotate his squad, meaning a largely familiar lineup will be put forward against the Posh.
Everton’s Expected Lineup
Given their injury concerns and lack of available options, Dyche is expected to go with a 4-4-1-1 formation, focusing on maintaining solidity at the back while trying to break down Peterborough with attacking width and midfield creativity. Here’s how Everton could line up:
Everton Predicted Lineup vs Peterborough (4-4-1-1):
- Goalkeeper: Virginia
- Defenders: Patterson, Keane, O’Brien, Mykolenko
- Midfielders: Harrison, Mangala, Armstrong, Ndiaye
- Attacking Midfielder: Doucoure
- Forward: Beto
Despite their struggles, Everton’s Premier League pedigree and their strength in depth mean they should have enough quality to overcome Peterborough, though anything less than a comfortable win would be considered a major disappointment.
Peterborough’s Struggles in League One
A Challenging Campaign in 2024/25
On the other side, Peterborough United are having a difficult season in League One. Currently sitting 19th in the third tier, Darren Ferguson’s side is embroiled in a relegation battle. Their form has been poor, failing to win any of their last five games, including a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham and a 3-1 loss to Barnsley. In fact, their last win came nearly a month ago, on December 8, in a 2-1 victory over Cheltenham Town.
This has been a dramatic fall from grace for Peterborough, who had finished in sixth and fourth place in the previous two seasons. Now, the club is facing the grim prospect of a relegation dogfight, which has affected their morale. Nonetheless, the FA Cup presents a chance for the Posh to put their league struggles aside and focus on what could be an historic upset.
Missing Key Players
Peterborough’s injury list is equally concerning heading into this FA Cup tie. One of their most influential players, Kwame Poku, will miss the match due to injury, which is a significant blow to their attacking options. Poku has been a key player for Peterborough this season, and his absence will leave a void in the final third. Additionally, they are also without Rio Adebisi and Mahamadou Susoho, two more players who could have added depth to their squad.
Australian goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic is expected to continue in goal with first-choice keeper Jed Steer still a doubt. In defence, the likes of Joe Wallin, Dan Fernandez, and Hector Katongo will need to be on top of their game to withstand the pressure from Everton’s attack.
Peterborough’s Expected Lineup
Peterborough are likely to adopt a 4-4-1-1 formation to match Everton’s setup. The team will look to be compact defensively and try to hit the Toffees on the counter-attack, capitalizing on any mistakes made by the Premier League side. Here’s how the Posh could line up:
Peterborough Predicted Lineup vs Everton (4-4-1-1):
- Goalkeeper: Bilokapic
- Defenders: Johnston, Wallin, Fernandez, Katongo
- Midfielders: Hayes, De Havilland, Kyprianou, Collins
- Attacking Midfielder: Mothersille
- Forward: Jones
The Posh will rely heavily on the pace and creativity of their attackers, such as Jonson Clarke-Harris, and the defensive solidity of their backline to hold off the pressure from the Premier League side.
Head-to-Head Record and History
Looking at the historical head-to-head record between these two sides, Everton hold a commanding advantage. In their previous encounters, Everton have won all the matches between the two teams. The most recent meeting came in the 2006 League Cup, where Everton triumphed 2-1 away at Peterborough.
The Toffees’ superior pedigree at the highest level of English football means they will be firm favourites going into this match, despite their recent struggles. On the other hand, Peterborough’s underdog status, combined with their need for a morale-boosting performance, could make this an intriguing contest.
Prediction: Everton 1-0 Peterborough
Despite their poor form, Everton are still the stronger side on paper, and Peterborough’s injury issues and relegation struggles will make it difficult for them to pull off an upset. However, given the Posh’s determination to prove themselves, they could make life difficult for Everton, especially if the Toffees fail to take advantage of their superior quality.
This match feels like a potential banana skin for Sean Dyche’s men. While a comfortable victory is expected, the pressure on Dyche and his squad could lead to a nervy, tight affair. The Posh may not have enough firepower to force an upset, but they will likely put up a resilient fight. Everton will likely scrape through with a narrow 1-0 win, but it could be a performance that still leaves plenty of questions unanswered about their form heading into the latter stages of the FA Cup.
How to Watch Everton vs Peterborough
For fans across the world looking to catch the action, here are the TV and streaming options for this FA Cup third-round clash:
- 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
Kick-off for this match will be at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT) on Thursday, January 9, at Goodison Park, Liverpool.
With the FA Cup offering a much-needed distraction from their league struggles, Everton will be looking to return to winning ways and avoid any embarrassment against League One opposition. However, Peterborough’s fight against relegation and their underdog status means they could spring a surprise. Ultimately, though, Everton’s superior quality should see them through, but the margin of victory may be tighter than many expect.
