This cup tie hinges on one flank. Newcastle's most reliable way to create runs straight at the part of Everton's defence that has been broken this week. Everton's own attack has been running on very little, and the expected rotation before the league rematch isn't showing up in how either club picked its last cup side.
Newcastle won 2-0 at Palace through the right: Murphy crossed for Osula and Dedic set up Barnes. On the other side, Mykolenko came off injured at Arsenal, Branthwaite is in concussion protocol, and Garner finished that game at left-back. That pulls him out of the Everton midfield as well.
Everton's goals have dried up. They managed under half an expected goal against both Chelsea and Arsenal. Barry is their only senior striker and Grealish has been ill. Their route is a dead ball or a cross to Barry and then the Moyes mid-block. Newcastle's two heavy away defeats came with a different back line, though, and with Burn back alongside Schar or Botman they kept Palace scoreless.
The rotation worry doesn't hold up either. Newcastle's last cup eleven was close to their first eleven, and Jaissle said he will go all in. Expect a cagey first half, with the benches and the left flank deciding the second. That's why I'm siding with Newcastle.
