Fiorentina and Atalanta meet in a contest shaped by the first midfield recovery and the next pass into the box. Fiorentina can use Fagioli to reach the flank or Pellegrino, while Atalanta have an established route through De Ketelaere and Zappacosta to Krstović. Everton and Newcastle present a similar fight for the second ball, with Barry as Everton's long outlet and Newcastle seeking quick deliveries from the right. The quality of those follow-up passes, rather than the last results alone, should decide both matches.
Atalanta's route has already produced clear final touches: De Ketelaere and Zappacosta supplied Krstović against Frosinone. Fiorentina's Fagioli can create openings, and Pellegrino can challenge Obrić in the air, but the Como chances brought a goal only from a corner scramble by Pongračić, who has since left the side injured. Pongračić's exit also leaves Drăguşin and Viery as the projected central pair after little shared time against Inter. Fiorentina should seek early flank pressure; Atalanta's next midfield recovery can bring De Ketelaere onto the ball and Krstović into the box. That's why I'm siding with Atalanta to avoid defeat.
Everton's Barry won aerial contests against Arsenal, so Burn and Schär have a real first ball to defend. The next touch is crucial: Garner and Dewsbury-Hall need to turn Barry's layoff into a clean box entry before Joelinton and González recover it. Newcastle's Murphy and Dedić supplied both goals from the right against Palace, while Everton's left-back picture is unsettled after Mykolenko left the Arsenal match injured. Everton can keep the midfield compact, but Newcastle's observed route from recovery to wide delivery gives them a way through, and a level match remains live in this cup tie. That's why I'm siding with Newcastle to avoid defeat in regulation.
