Everton vs Norwich preview: Capital One Cup offers welcome distraction for struggling Premier League pair

A look ahead to the Capital One Cup 4th Round tie at Goodison Park

Everton's Gareth Barry and John Stones cast frustrated figures after conceding to Arsenal (Getty Images)

The Capital One Cup offers a welcome distraction to Everton and Norwich City, with both sides winless in three games and languishing in the bottom-half of the Premier League.

It’s a big game for…

John Stones: The England defender will be expected to step up in Phil Jagielka’s absence, with his regular centre-back partner ruled out for two months. The 21-year-olds performances have been questioned recently as Everton have shipped eight goals in their previous four games in all competitions.

Weird /best stat…

4 in 9

Four of Everton’s last nine Capital One Cup games have gone to extra time – including their 5-3 second round victory over Barnsley earlier this season

Remember when…

Everton defeated Norwich in the 1989 FA Cup semi-finals at Villa Park with a single goal from Pat Nevin. It remains an iconic year for the competition, with the Hillsborough disaster happening at the same time in Sheffield.

Player to watch…

Romelu Lukaku: Roberto Martinez has selected strong Everton line-ups in the competition thus far, and Lukaku will be looking to add to the three goals that he’s scored in his previous four games. He’s netted twice in his two appearances in the Capital One Cup, but has scored just once at Goodison Park this season and will be looking to put that right tomorrow evening.

Past three-meetings…

Everton 2 (Barry, Mirallas) Norwich 0
Premier League, January 2014

Norwich 2 (Whittaker, van Wolfswinkel) Everton 2 (Barkley, Coleman)
Premier League, August 2013

Norwich 2 (Kamara, Holt) Everton 1 (Osman)
Premier League, February 2013

Form guide…

Everton: DWWDLL

Norwich: DWDLLL

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 7.45pm, Tuesday, 27 October

TV: Highlights on Channel 5 from 11pm, Wednesday, 28 October