Everton out to protect Capital One Cup lead in Man City clash

Baines backs teammates to deliver

Martinez’s men have suffered a decline in form in recent weeks ahead of this crucial cup clash, having won on just two occasions in their previous seven games on all fronts, dropping down to 12th in the top-flight table.

Although, despite their hapless streak, England international left back Leighton Baines is confident his teammates can deliver a trip to Wembley for the Goodison Park faithful by maintaining their first leg lead (5/4 to reach final).

“Getting to the final is massive for all of us,” he stated. “It’s a tough semi to come through and you don’t always want to talk too much about what it might mean, because there is still a lot of work to do before then.

“But the truth of it is, we know we can beat Manchester City. We have just beaten them in the first leg and drawn against them in the league and another result like that would see us through.

“So we have just got to match what we have done in our last couple of games against them and we will be in the final.”

Silverware up for grabs

Everton midfielder Gareth Barry recently banished any hopes his side had of reaching a top four position this season, but silverware is there for the taking if they can overcome City, who are 19/10 to prevail without conceding.

The visitors arrive in Manchester having won just one of their last 10 league matches, but they should not lack confidence on the road, with just a single defeat from their previous 14 games away from Merseyside.

Belgian target man Romelu Lukaku has been key to any success and struck the first leg winner, making him 6/1 to net the game’s last goal again in 90 minutes, while in-form former Barcelona wideman Gerard Deulofeu is 11/2 to dispatch anytime.

For the hosts, Sergio Aguero will be the main threat as usual, and the clinical Argentine is 3/1 to bag a brace or more this time out (£20 max stake), with his fellow forwards Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling both 5/4 to get their name on the scoresheet in normal time.

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Read our Capital One Cup archive.

Coral’s top tip: Back Sergio Aguero to score two or more on home soil at 2/1.