Everton can restore some confidence following back-to-back Premier League defeats by continuing a decent run in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
For the fourth round at Goodison Park, Roberto Martinez's side will take on Norwich City, who have claimed just one win in six games in all competitions.
Everton
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The Merseyside outfit have had a tough few weeks following the death of their legendary former manager Howard Kendall.
On the pitch, Martinez's side have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League against high-calibre opposition.
Manchester United travelled to Goodison Park to claim a comfortable 3-0 victory, while Arsenal managed to edge to a 2-1 triumph at the Emirates.
Adding to the disappointing results, Martinez confirmed on Monday that their captain Phil Jagielka is facing nine weeks on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in last weekend's clash against Arsenal.
Before their recent losses, Everton were on a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, taking points off Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Merseyside rivals Liverpool, but they will need to reboot in order to go on a similar run.
In the Capital One Cup, the Toffees opened their campaign with an entertaining match against League One's Barnsley, who were close to knocking the top-flight club out until Romelu Lukaku scored twice, once in extra time, to give his side a 5-3 win.
The third round was not as goal hungry, but it was just as tense as Ross Barkley and Reading's Nick Blackman scored to put the game level in the final 20 minutes.
Gerard Deulofeu stepped up in the 73rd minute to give Everton a 2-1 victory at the Madejski Stadium, but perhaps the fourth round is where Everton could fall.
The club have lost their last six consecutive home fourth-round matches in this competition, and their last win on home turf at this stage was in November 1987.
Recent form: WW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWDLL
Norwich City
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Alex Neil guided the Canaries to the Premier League last season in impressive fashion considering that he had taken the manager's job just seven months before the team played their first game back in the top flight.
It was a decent start to the campaign for Norwich as they overcame their opening-day 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace by losing just once in their next six league games.
Neil's men took points off Sunderland, Stoke City, Bournemouth, Liverpool and West Ham United in that time, but come October, the Canaries suffered a difficult spell.
Norwich have lost three of their last league fixtures, one of which was a humiliating 6-2 defeat to Newcastle United, who had not won a single Premier League game before that result.
The team have conceded nine goals in three games, but they can turn to their decent form in the Capital One Cup ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Everton, particularly because they have already dislodged Premier League opposition.
After earning a 2-1 win over Rotherham United, Norwich claimed a 3-0 triumph over West Bromwich Albion in the third round, with goals from Matt Jarvis, Kyle Lafferty and Sebastien Pocognoli.
In the 2013-14 season, Norwich managed to reach the fourth round, but they were knocked out by Manchester United, and the statistics are not in their favour as they have only claimed victory in one out of 10 League Cup matches on the road against a team in the same division.
Recent form: WW
Recent form (all competitions): DWDLLL
Team News
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As mentioned, Everton will be without their skipper Jagielka for around two months with a knee injury, which means that his centre-back partner John Stones will need to step up and marshal the defence.
Ramiro Funes Mori is likely to take Jagielka's place at the back against Norwich, while a spot in midfield will have to be filled as Gareth Barry serves a suspension after getting sent off against Arsenal.
Tom Cleverley and Steven Pienaar could be given the nod to start at Goodison, while Joel Robles will be in goal to replace number one goalkeeper Tim Howard.
For the visitors, Neil is expected to make some changes to the team as his main priority is keeping Norwich in the division this season.
Striker Dieumerci Mbokani is likely to miss the game due to illness, while Youssouf Mulumbu could make his debut four months after joining from West Bromwich Albion.
Cameron Jerome could be handed the spot up front, while Robbie Brady and Graham Dorrans could be installed in the first XI.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Robles; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway; Pienaar, Cleverley, McCarthy, Deulofeu; Mirallas; Lukaku
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Bassong, Martin, Bennett, Redmond; Dorrans, Howson, Tettey, Jarvis; Brady; Jerome
Head To Head
In this competition, Everton and Norwich have faced each other twice before, the last of which occurred in the 1973-74 season when the Canaries were victorious in the third round.
The Toffees, who last progressed past this phase of the competition in 2007-08 but lost to Chelsea in the semi-finals, managed to get their revenge in the 1989-87 season when they overcame Norwich in the fourth round.
Overall, the two sides have met one another 49 times, with Everton edging the head-to-head by 18 wins to Norwich's 14.
There have been 17 draws between the clubs, but the last time that they met at Goodison Park, Everton ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Barry and Mirallas in a Premier League match in January 2014.
We say: Everton 2-0 Norwich City
Everton may have suffered back-to-back defeats, but Norwich will be wary of facing a wounded animal when they take on the Toffees at Goodison. The Canaries' priorities are firmly on survival in the Premier League, and with a top-flight fixture against Manchester City on Saturday, Neil is sure to have one eye on that game. The Merseyside outfit have the advantage of playing at home, which could be the perfect setting for the team to return to winning ways.
Danielle Joynson
