Everton vs Sunderland. Carabao Cup Round 3.
Goodison ParkAttendance23,000.
Wednesday 20 September 2017 19:39, UK
Everton manager Ronald Koeman will make changes for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup visit of Sunderland but needs to strike a balance as he seeks to end a four-match losing streak.
Everton, who have not won a trophy since 1995, have struggled so far in the Premier League, losing 4-0 at Manchester United on Super Sunday.
Koeman says Everton's a win on Wednesday would be a welcome "shot in the arm", with four straight games coming up at Goodison Park.
Koeman told the club's website: "We need to analyse the game but it is important to take the positives from Sunday and prepare ourselves for Wednesday.
"We now play four times in a row at home in different competitions, we need a feeling for a win and that will give the best confidence to the players."
Maarten Stekelenburg could replace former Black Cats goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with the likes of defenders Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate and midfielders Mohamed Besic and Davy Klaassen also potentially returning.
Youngsters Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman are pushing for involvement up front, with former outcast Oumar Niasse set for a place on the bench.
Sunderland manager Simon Grayson is set to make plenty of changes for the trip to Goodison Park.
Ty Browning and Brendan Galloway are unable to face their parent club but James Vaughan, who battled through illness on Saturday, is available.
Everton have been eliminated in both of their League Cup ties against Sunderland, most recently in a penalty shootout in November 1998 - a campaign that saw the Black Cats reach the semi-finals.
The Toffees have won five of their last six League Cup clashes with lower league opposition (L1), although that lost came at this stage last season - a 2-0 defeat to Norwich at Goodison Park.
Indeed, Everton have only progressed past the third round in two of the last seven seasons.
Sunderland have lost their last five League Cup games against Premier League opponents, including a 3-1 defeat at Wembley in the 2014 League Cup final against Manchester City.
