The magic of the cup comes to Goodison Park as Premier League side Everton host League One hopefuls Mansfield Town in the second round of the EFL Cup. This fixture is a classic David vs. Goliath encounter, offering a potential banana skin for the top-flight hosts and a dream of a major upset for the travelling Stags. For Everton, this competition provides a welcome distraction from the rigours of the league and a perfect opportunity to give valuable minutes to squad players.
Mansfield Town, under the astute management of Nigel Clough, will travel to Merseyside with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Having started their own league campaign in solid form, they will relish the chance to test themselves against elite opposition on a Premier League stage. For punters, this match preview presents an interesting dynamic: a heavily rotated but high-quality home side against a full-strength, in-form lower league team, creating potential value in various betting markets beyond the straightforward result.
Everton Vs Mansfield Town match preview/Betting preview
Team Recent Form
This reflects the most recent run of competitive fixtures for both clubs at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Everton: D-W-L-W-D
Mansfield Town: W-D-W-L-W
key stats
- Everton have a strong record in the early rounds of the EFL Cup at home, having progressed from their last 8 ties at Goodison Park against lower-league opposition.
- Mansfield Town have been prolific in front of goal this season, scoring in all six of their competitive matches so far.
- In matches where a Premier League team hosts a League One side in this competition, the home team has won by a margin of two or more goals in 6 of the last 10 instances.
My correct score prediction is 3-1. While Everton are expected to make wholesale changes to their starting lineup, the quality of their second-string players should still be more than enough to overcome a spirited Mansfield side. The Toffees’ fringe attackers will be eager to impress, and I anticipate they will have the firepower to score multiple goals. However, Mansfield’s excellent early-season form and goalscoring consistency make them a prime candidate to grab a goal against a makeshift Everton defence that may lack cohesion, making a 3-1 home win a highly plausible outcome.
Everton Vs Mansfield Town H2H
- This will be the first competitive meeting between Everton and Mansfield Town in over two decades.
- The last time the two sides met was in the FA Cup in January 2003, where Everton secured a 2-1 victory at Field Mill.
- Everton are unbeaten in their three historical meetings with Mansfield Town, winning two and drawing one.
- All three previous encounters have seen both teams find the back of the net.
pre game odds
- Everton Win: Indicative odds of 1.30
- Draw: Indicative odds of 5.50
- Mansfield Town Win: Indicative odds of 9.00
(Note: Odds are subject to change and are for illustrative purposes. Please check with your preferred bookmaker for the latest prices.)
team news Everton
Manager Sean Dyche is expected to heavily rotate his squad for this EFL Cup tie, resting the majority of the players who featured in their last Premier League outing. This will provide a crucial opportunity for fringe players and youngsters to stake their claim. Goalkeeper João Virgínia is likely to start, with players like Ben Godfrey, Youssef Chermiti, and Arnaut Danjuma also expected to feature from the beginning. Key players such as Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will almost certainly be given the night off.
team news Mansfield Town
In stark contrast to his counterpart, Mansfield boss Nigel Clough will view this as a ‘cup final’ and is set to name his strongest possible lineup. The Stags have no new injury concerns following their recent league fixture. Top scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn, who has been in scintillating form at the start of the season, will be the key man in attack and will look to exploit any rustiness in the Everton backline. Mansfield will likely set up in a disciplined, compact shape, aiming to frustrate the hosts and hit them on the counter-attack.
predicted line up for both teams
Everton Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): João Virgínia; Nathan Patterson, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate, Vitaliy Mykolenko; Jack Harrison, James Garner, André Gomes, Arnaut Danjuma; Dwight McNeil; Youssef Chermiti.
Mansfield Town Predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Christy Pym; Jordan Bowery, Aden Flint, Lewis Brunt, Baily Cargill; Ollie Clarke, Stephen Quinn, Louis Reed; George Maris; Davis Keillor-Dunn, Will Swan.
Everton Vs Mansfield Town betting tips
- Tip 1 – result: Everton Win
- Tip 2 – Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 2.5 goals
- Tip 3 – both team to score: Yes
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