EFL Cup preview: Can Tottenham do it on a cold night in Stoke? Plus Everton face Man Utd

Yet with a cup semi-final just 90 minutes away, Mourinho will be wary of resting too many stars and paying the ultimate price.

Stoke are no pushovers this season and only goal difference will have them out of the play-off positions over Christmas. But they face a goalkeeping crisis, with three of their stoppers sidelined with injury and another cup-tied.

37-year-old Andy Lonergan, who was a surprise member of Liverpool’s title-winning squad last season, should start between the sticks. And things aren’t looking much better outfield, with experienced heads Ryan Shawcross, John Obi Mikel and Joe Allen all unavailable.

For Spurs, Mourinho will inevitably ring the changes, but he won’t be able to call upon injured duo Erik Lamela and Japhet Tanganga, while Giovani Lo Celso remains a doubt.

Stoke are priced at 13/2 to win in 90 minutes and 5/2 to qualify. Tottenham are 2/5 in the match betting and 2/7 to qualify. The draw is 18/5.

Everton v Manchester United (20:00)

Tonight’s second cup tie pits two of the Premier League’s form teams against one another and, like Tottenham, both will have every intention of going all the way in the competition.

The hosts have bounced back from a shaky patch of form to mastermind consecutive wins over Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal and they’ll hold no fear about the prospect of facing United.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side confidently despatched West Ham 4-1 in the last round of the cup thanks to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin hat-trick and the Toffees will likely field a strong side this evening.

United have won six of their last seven games in the Premier League and the first of that run was a 3-1 victory at Goodison Park in early November.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side put six past Leeds on Sunday and with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in explosive goalscoring form, we could be set for another thriller.

United are yet to concede in this competition so far, winning both of their ties 3-0, but their defence has been slightly more porous in recent weeks, which Everton could take advantage of.

Everton will once again be without James Rodriguez, while Fabian Delph and Lucas Digne also remain sidelined. Seamus Coleman could make his first start since that league defeat to United.

For the visitors, Jesse Lingard is set to be named in the squad. The midfielder’s last appearance came in United’s win at Brighton in the last round.

Everton can be backed at 21/10 to win in 90 minutes or 6/5 to qualify. Manchester United are 23/20 in the match betting and odds-on at 8/13 to progress. The draw is 13/5.

View the latest football odds.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.