FA Cup: Everton test Wembley credentials against Wigan side trying to make history

Everton will be bidding to reach Wembley for a second straight year when they go up against a Wigan side trying to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time.

The Toffees, who reached the last four stage in 2012 and the final in 2009, enjoy home advantage and the five-time winners are big favourites to extend their run in this year's competition. Wigan have a less successful history in the competition and have this season equalled their best effort of a sixth round appearance 26 years ago. The Latics go into the clash on the back of a 4-0 drubbing by Everton's arch-rivals Liverpool, but before that had claimed back-to-back wins against Huddersfield - in the fifth round - and Reading. Everton have also enjoyed a recent success against Reading, beating the Royals in the Premier League last Saturday, which was preceded by a 3-1 win over Oldham in their fifth round replay. Both teams will be facing top-flight opposition for the first time in the competition, although both have needed replays to get past lower-league opposition in previous rounds. The hosts are unbeaten in their last nine games against Wigan and were the victors the only previous time the two teams met in the FA Cup, in 1980.Everton boss David Moyes will be without central defender Phil Jagielka after he suffered an ankle injury in the victory over Reading last time out. The fitness of goalkeeper Tim Howard, who missed his first league game in over five years last weekend, will also have to be assessed before the match. Johnny Heitinga is likely to replace Jagielka and Jan Mucha will drop out if Howard recovers, but it could otherwise be an unchanged starting XI for the hosts.Despite being on the brink of club history in the competition, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has stated his intention to make a number of changes for the tie. The Latics boss could use the game to bed in some players who have recently returned from injury, with defender Adrian Lopez and on-loan winger Ryo Miyaichi both available for selection. Centre-back Antolin Alcaraz has come off the bench in the last two games and could be in line to make his first start since suffering a groin injury in August.