Everton and Middlesbrough will be hoping to progress to the semi-finals of the League Cup when they meet at the Riverside Stadium in the quarter-finals of the competition on Tuesday.

Both had to come through penalty shootouts in the last round to make it to the last eight.

Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough pulled off a surprise in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup, beating Manchester United in a penalty shootout after holding Louis van Gaal's side to a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Aitor Karanka's side have already beaten Burton Albion, Oldham Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the competition, securing their place in the quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons.

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.

Recent form: WLWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWW

Everton

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Everton's progression to this stage of the competition has not been smooth, with the Toffees having to come from behind to beat League One side Barnsley and Championship team Reading, before beating Norwich City on penalties in the fourth round.

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.

Recent form: WLLWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWDWD

Team News

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Everton could have a shortage in midfield for this fixture, with James McCarthy and Gareth Barry having picked up shin and groin injuries respectively in the draw with Bournemouth at the weekend, making both doubts for the trip to the Riverside.

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.

Boro have won just twice in their last 13 matches against Everton, but the last time the sides were drawn against each other in the League Cup, Middlesbrough came out on top, winning 1-0 at Goodison Park in 2005.

In 114 previous games between these two sides, Everton have won 55 times, while Middlesbrough have 31 victories and 28 matches have finished level.

We say: Middlesbrough 1-2 Everton

Middlesbrough have proved that they have the potential to cause an upset against Premier League opponents before, but Everton come into this fixture in strong goalscoring form, and have already proved capable of coming from behind in this competition. Everton's injury absentees could hinder them, but the visitors should have a strong enough squad to progress.

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