Sean Dyche could have done without an extra game for Everton (Picture: PA)
With potential points deductions looming, neither Everton or Nottingham Forest can afford to pick up significant injuries in their FA Cup replays and that may convince both Sean Dyche and Nuno Espirito Santo to field fringe players this week.
Both clubs have been charged with breaching financial rules but may not know the scale of the sanctions until after the season.
The Toffees have already had ten points swiped off their tally and an appeal will be heard next month, but if they lose it and then suffer another similar penalty it would be devastating.
Forest gave Steve Cooper the sack at Christmas and probably need reinforcements to stay up as they are also in in trouble at the wrong end of the table, even though Nuno appears to have lifted spirits.
So while it is all very well and good being romantic about the FA Cup and a possible appearance in the Wembley sunshine come May, the competition surely has to take a backseat given the current circumstances.
The Toffees entertain Crystal Palace after a boring draw at Selhurst Park a fortnight ago when the main talking point was then the red card, subsequently rescinded, handed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Palace are still without the impressive Michael Olise and injuries to other players, plus Jordan Ayew’s call up by Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations, means they are shorthanded so another draw is on the cards at 5/2 with bet365.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if this went to penalties and with last month’s nightmare defeat to Fulham in a spot-kick shootout in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals still fresh in Toffees’ minds it is worth an investment in the Eagles qualifying for the next round at 17/10 with Betfred and Paddy Power.
Even without the prospect of a possible points deduction, a replay with Blackpool was the last thing Forest needed as they are just four points above the relegation zone.
