The 2019/20 English Football League Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons has reached the 4th round stage and there are matches to be played on Tuesday and Wednesday night this week. One of the games on Tuesday night sees Everton host Watford at Goodison Park.
This trophy represents arguably the best chance for both Everton and Watford to win some silverware this season. Will both teams take this match as a serious opportunity or will the managers use it to give some of their squad players a game?
Everton come into this match having lost 3-2 at Brighton and Hove Albion on the weekend. The Toffees came from behind in the game to lead but conceded the losing goal in the 94th minute. It was a disappointing end to a match Everton worked hard to almost get a point.
That result means Everton have won only one of their last 4 matches which came against West Ham United at home in the Premier League. The other three games have all ended in defeat, with a 3-1 lost at home to Manchester City plus a 1-0 defeat at Burnley, all of which have come in the Premier League.
Everton won their previous home game which was in the Premier League against West Ham United but have lost 2 of their last 3, with defeat against Sheffield United added to the one against Manchester City. This will be Everton's first home game in the League Cup this season having defeated Lincoln City and Sheffield Wednesday away.
Things have not got much better for Watford following their draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on the weekend. They remain bottom of the table with just 5 points from their 10 matches played this season.
Trends show the Hornets Have won just one of their last 8 games in all competitions but that victory did come in the League Cup. Watford defeated Swansea City 2-1 at home in the 3rd round and previously beat Coventry City in the second round to reach this stage of the competition.
However, their away record this season is poor and Watford have failed to win any of their 5 away matches. They have scored just 2 goals in those 5 games and conceded 13 times.
Looking ahead to the team news and Everton are without the injured midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin who has a thigh problem. They also have doubts over Yerry Mina, Bernard and Cenk Tosun.
Watford travel north without striker Troy Deeney who is suffering from a knee injury. Etienne Capoue, Isaac Success, Kiko, Danny Welbeck, Ismaïla Sarr and Tom Cleverley are among those trying to get fit in time for the game.
Which team decides to take this game and competition seriously will have the best chance of coming out on top. Expect to see changes in the starting XI for both sides from the weekend, making this one a tough game to call. We should see goals for both teams and it wouldn't be a surprise if the game ended level and we went into extra time and possibly penalties.