Everton enter today's FA Cup match against Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium without eight senior players for various reasons.
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye continue to be away for Senegal at the African Cup of Nations in Morocco, while Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Charly Alcaraz are nursing injuries, and, of course, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish are suspended due to red cards in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Wolves.
That leaves David Moyes' side quite thin as Sunderland come to Merseyside for the FA Cup contest, one of four third-round ties featuring two Premier League teams.
All of the missing players make it difficult to know how Moyes will opt to line up his side. Will he run out the best XI available to him, knowing there are eight days between matches for the Toffees? Or will he recognize that the club is in no position to make a cup run and let the kids play?
As pragmatic as the Scottish manager can be, the former option feels more likely, and so we'll run with that assumption in predicting the team.
Everton's predicted starting XI v Sunderland (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Mark Travers (GK): The Ireland international got his only other two starts of the season in the Carabao Cup, so even against Premier League competition, he could be the option here.
Adam Aznou (LB): We're into "speaking it into existence" territory now. Vitalii Mykolenko could probably do with a breather, so why not give the kid a run?
James Tarkowski (CB): This might be more a matter of there not being any other options, because in a perfect world, you'd think Moyes would like to give Tark a rest, too. Alas, there just aren't enough bodies.
Jake O'Brien (CB): At least he'll get a chance to play his natural position while Keane is suspended.
Nathan Patterson (RB): He looked lost during his last start, but maybe the Scottish international just needs some minutes in his legs.
Midfielders
Tim Iroegbunam (CDM): The Englishman has looked quite solid in his role in recent weeks, so there's a case to be made for building on momentum here.
Harrison Armstrong (CM): Looked great in his first-ever Premier League start on Wednesday, so he's earned another shot. Maybe he goes back to Preston before the window closes, but for now, he should play as often as he can.
Merlin Röhl (CM): Hasn't looked terribly comfortable since returning from hernia surgery, but this feels like a good match to give him another run.
Forwards
Dwight McNeil (LW): In all honesty, I'd pluck one of the U21 wingers and start him. Take your pick. But it feels like McNeil will get the nod here.
Tyler Dibling (RW): He has to start. There's no reason not to at this point. Leaving him out would really make me concerned about whether Moyes will ever trust him.
Thierno Barry (CF): He did just start and play 87 minutes on Wednesday, so I won't be shocked if this is Beto here. Still think you give the kid as much run as possible.