Middlesbrough have previously lifted the League Cup, beating Bolton Wanderers in the final at the Millennium Stadium in 2004, having finished as runners-up twice before that. The Championship side head into this match sitting second in their division, having won their last two matches and three of their last four, including a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Boro have been a strong side defensively this season, keeping nine clean sheets in 18 matches in the league, while conceding just nine goals. Karanka's side have also been free-scoring, netting 27 goals in the Championship. The team's form has translated in the cup, with the team conceding just two goals in their four outings, while scoring eight times.
. Leon Osman scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with the Canaries in their last League Cup fixture, before missed spot kicks from Wes Hoolahan and Nathan Redmond sent Roberto Martinez's side through. This is the first time that Everton have reached the last eight in the Capital One Cup since the 2007-08 campaign, when they reached the semi-finals. The Toffees have been in the final twice, but have never won this competition. Everton come into this match unbeaten in their last four league outings, but let a two-goal lead slip in a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend, leaving them ninth in the table. Everton have been in strong goalscoring form since their last League Cup outing, finding the back of the net 14 times in four fixtures, with Romelu Lukaku scoring five in four appearances, while Ross Barkley has three in his last two outings. The Premier League side have struggled defensively this season though, keeping just one clean sheet in their last 10 outings in all competitions, while conceding in all of their previous fixtures in this tournament.
. Joel Robles, who has started in goal in every match in the League Cup so far this season, will come in for Tim Howard again, while Phil Jagielka, Bryan Oviedo, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar all remain sidelined. Adam Forshaw could return to the starting lineup for Middlesbrough after coming off the bench following a one-month absence at the weekend. Tomas Kalas remains an injury doubt, having been ruled out at the weekend, but the team have reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of the Toffees. Middlesbrough possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Zuculini, Stuani, Forshaw, Adomah; Nugent Everton possible starting lineup: Robles; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway; Cleverley, Lennon, Barkley, Gibson, Naismith; Lukaku Head To Head Everton are unbeaten in their last six matches against Middlesbrough, with a 2-1 win in their last meeting in the FA Cup in 2009.
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