Can see Bradley starting again at RB and then hopefully Trent is back for Everton. Hopefully Gomez can start with Quansah, allowing us to play Endo in midfield. McConnell might get a start alongside him. Chiesa, Elliott and Jota look like they’ll surely start. The rest will probably be a few seniors not playing the full game and a few other kids in the squad.
That is realistic to expect. Gomez is already training for more than a week so he should be fit to start alongside Quansah. If Trent is likely to be ready for the Derby, Bradley will get another start here (maybe Mabaya gets a few minutes at the RB). Endo-McConnell-Elliott midfield should be strong enough, and Nyoni should get a few minutes too. Of course, Chiesa should play the full 90. Jota and maybe Diaz (who should be subbed off early second half) are the other starters.
Probably the most interesting question is who starts in goal: Alisson had his rest yesterday, but should not be overused; Kelleher could be asked to start again, though he just played two out of last three matches; maybe it could even mean a start for Jaros? To me, it seems that the answer is far from straightforward.
I think Kelleher starts again. He started the last FA Cup game and last night so has rhythm, it’s another lower league side and we might not risk Alisson after missing last night.
Cool, didn’t know what was his problem last night. As fans we’re often too protective of players, we don’t know enough and what do they need or want. Rest or game time. Under Slot, there’s less of a pattern in terms of goalkeepers in domestic cup competitions, so we’ll see going forward (and past this season, because we’ll have at least one goalkeeper change). Without overthinking, my guess would be Kelleher stays in goal here.
