Everton v Boreham Wood predictions: Focused Toffees should end Wood cup run

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Everton v Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fifth round on Thursday.

Where to watch

ITV, 8.15pm Thursday

Best bets

Everton to win 2-0
1pt 5-1 general

Everton to win 3-0
1pt 11-2 Hills

Team news

Everton
Donny van de Beek, Dele Alli and Anwar El Ghazi are cup-tied while Dominic Calvert-Lewin joins Tom Davies, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Fabian Delph on the sidelines.

Boreham Wood
Jamal Fyfield and goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore should return to the squad although Kane Smith and Mark Ricketts are doubts. Jamie Reckord and Danilo Orsi are cup-tied.

Match preview

Everton received an official apology for a crucial refereeing error in Saturday's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City but Toffees manager Frank Lampard will be the one saying sorry if his side slip up against FA Cup fifth-round visitors Boreham Wood.

Lampard enjoyed a triumphant start to his Everton career with a 4-1 victory over Brentford in the previous round of the cup and a comprehensive win over non-league Boreham Wood is anticipated by bookmakers as well as Toffees fans.

However, Luke Garrard's National League unit caused a huge upset in the fourth round, winning 1-0 at Championship promotion contenders Bournemouth, and the Boreham Wood boss may well remind his players that Everton are only five places above the Cherries in the English football pyramid.

Lampard was furious that the Toffees were denied a late penalty for a handball by City midfielder Rodri and his reaction reflected not only the status of Saturday's opponents but also Everton's precarious position in the top flight.

Newcastle and Burnley's improved results have dragged the Toffees, along with Brentford and Leeds, into serious relegation trouble. But Everton can afford, briefly, to forget about their top-flight travails as they have a great chance to progress in the FA Cup and keep alive their hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1995.

Having competed well in a narrow defeat to the Premier League leaders and Champions League favourites on Saturday, Everton face a very different test at home to obdurate non-league opponents in a knockout cup tie.

Star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is enduring an injury-disrupted campaign, is set to miss out again and January arrivals Donny van de Beek, Dele Alli and Anwar El Ghazi are cup-tied.

An unfamiliar-looking Everton line-up should still be classy enough to ease past Boreham Wood although it may not be a rout and splitting stakes between a 2-0 and 3-0 home win looks the best punting strategy.

The non-leaguers showed their defensive qualities against Bournemouth, who hadn't mustered a shot at goal when Boreham Wood veteran Mark Ricketts scored what turned out to be the winner shortly before half-time.

The clean sheet on the south coast followed shutouts in FA Cup wins against Barnet, Eastleigh, St Albans City and League One AFC Wimbledon, beaten 2-0 in the second-round tie in Hertfordshire.

Despite their cup exertions, Boreham Wood are well in the hunt for promotion to the Football League, conceding just 17 goals in 27 league matches this season, although it is concerning that they have failed to find the net on their past three away trips.

Lampard, who won the FA Cup four times as a Chelsea player, was renowned for his work ethic during his playing days and he will demand a professional display as his Everton side bid to end Boreham Wood's memorable cup run.

Key stat

Boreham Wood have failed to score in their last three away games, against Wrexham, Maidenhead and Torquay.

Inside info

Everton

Penalty taker Richarlison
Free-kick wizard Anthony Gordon
Set-piece aerial threat Michael Keane
Card magnet Richarlison

Boreham Wood

Penalty taker Scott Boden
Free-kick wizardFrankie Raymond
Set-piece aerial threatWill Evans
Card magnetWill Evans

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