Everton vs Manchester United. The FA Cup Semi-Final.
WembleyAttendance86,064.
Saturday 23 April 2016 16:25, UK
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is fit for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm), but Everton right-back Seamus Coleman will miss the game with injury.
Smalling picked up a late knock during United's midweek victory over Crystal Palace, but will be available for Louis van Gaal's side, while Everton will have to make do without Coleman after he hobbled off against Southampton last weekend.
Both managers will be desperate to secure a second trip to Wembley next month to save their side's season, with Everton manager Roberto Martinez under particular pressure due to their poor performance in the Premier League.
Manchester United's back-to-back wins in the past week kept their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive, while Everton now look set to finish in the bottom half of the table following their 4-0 defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Martinez will be hoping for a victory to steer his side to their first FA Cup final since 2009, while United haven't won the competition since 2004.
Team news
Everton boss Martinez said in his press conference on Friday morning that Coleman will miss the Wembley game, having also been absent for the derby defeat by Liverpool due to a hamstring injury.
Centre-backs Phil Jagielka and John Stones also face late fitness tests, along with defensive midfielder Gareth Barry.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luke Shaw and Adnan Januzaj are United's only absentees.
Germany midfielder Schweinsteiger (knee) is unlikely to play again this season but left-back Shaw (leg) is working with a physio as he steps up his rehabilitation.
Opta stats
Everton have progressed from six of their last seven FA Cup semi-finals, the exception being their last appearance at this stage in 2012 v Liverpool. They have needed extra-time or penalties to make the final in four of those six progressions.
Manchester United have lost their last two FA Cup semi-finals, to Everton on penalties in 2009 and to Manchester City in 2011. They had progressed in the previous 13 appearances at this stage between 1976 and 2007.
The Red Devils haven't lost three successive FA Cup semi-final ties since 1970 (also lost in 1965 and 1966).
Romelu Lukaku has scored in each of his five FA Cup appearances for Everton (six goals).
Anthony Martial has more assists in the FA Cup than any other player still in the competition (3).
The Toffees are yet to concede a single goal in the FA Cup this season.
Manchester United have scored just once in their last four matches against Everton at Wembley, but that goal from Norman Whiteside was to win the FA Cup in 1985. They lost by the same scoreline to them in 1995, courtesy of a Paul Rideout goal.
Ross Barkley has been involved in more goals than any other Everton in their FA Cup campaign so far (four, two goals and two assists).
Van Gaal's only previous game at Wembley as a manager came while at Barcelona, beating Arsenal 4-2 in the Champions League group stage there in October 1999.
Martinez has lost 10 of his 14 meetings with Manchester United as a manager (W4), but three of those four wins have come during his time as Everton boss (W3 L3).
Merson's predictions
I don't see how Martinez can last if he loses at Wembley. He has got things horribly wrong this week. He should have played his strongest team and won against Southampton and then told fans he had to rest everyone against Liverpool in preparation for the semi-final. Instead, he rested everyone against Southampton and got booed off and then played his best team against Liverpool and got battered. For the first time, he looked lost on the sidelines; the fans have turned and I don't see how he can hold on if they lose. I felt sorry for him but it's a situation of his own making. This is a good team that is nowhere.
United will win at Wembley, I can't see Everton stopping them. Marcus Rashford is some player and his goal against Villa was as good as it gets - he'll be a top-drawer player. Three months ago, you would have backed Everton to win this game all day long, not now.
Paul predicts: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Betting
FA Cup outright favourites Manchester United are 21/20 to book their place in the final within 90 minutes, with Everton 5/2 outsiders while the draw is the same price. Louis van Gaal's men are 6/5 to lift the trophy followed by the Toffees at 3/1, with Crystal Palace and Watford 4/1 apiece.
Despite United's favouritism, Romelu Lukaku heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2, with Marcus Rashford considered United's main threat at 5/1, marginally shorter than Wayne Rooney (11/2).
