Everton FC v Young Boys BSC - Key Battles including Tim Howard v Tim HowardBen Pringle takes a look at where tonight's second leg could be won or lost
Tim Howard v Tim HowardBeing a goalkeeper can be one of the loneliest jobs in the world when things aren’t going to plan, and Tim Howard has certainly found himself with a few less friends since returning to the Everton FC first team.
The American displaced Joel Robles in between the sticks against Chelsea earlier this month, despite the young Spaniard enjoying a run of three clean sheets, and has proceeded to make errors that have cost his team dearly.
Howard has been under fire from all angles upon his return from a calf injury, with the 35-year-old receiving severe criticism after a poor performance against Leicester City which saw Jamie Vardy and Esteban Cambiasso profit to earn a point for the Foxes.
The stopper, who has been an exceptional servant for the Toffees throughout his nine-year stay at Goodison Park, is now faced with one of the most difficult challenges of his career as he tries to recapture some semblance of form while under very public scrutiny.
So much of goalkeeping is founded upon confidence, and Howard’s is currently in tatters. The American is visibly doubting himself, and this affects not only his own performance but also those around him.
There is a lack of trust between the goalkeeper and his defenders at present, while the Everton faithful are beginning to question Roberto Martinez’s decision to persevere with the former Manchester United man.
For want of a better cliché, Howard needs to return to basics and trust in his own ability. There will be psychological scars from his last few appearances, and these need to be overcome as quickly as possible.
The surest way of doing this is by making saves, and the less-pressurised environment of the second leg against BSC Young Boys will provide Howard with the perfect opportunity to take his first steps on the road to redemption.
Antolin Alcaraz v Guillaume Hoarau
Guillaume Hoarau celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for Young Boys
With John Stones suspended after picking up a straight red in Bern, Antolin Alcaraz is expected to be offered a chance in the centre of the Blues defence for the visit of Young Boys.
The Paraguayan has been on the fringes since his arrival at Goodison Park in the summer of 2013, but Thursday night presents him with an opportunity to stake a claim for more regular football.
Martinez obviously holds the central defender in high regard, having first brought Alcaraz to England with Wigan Athletic before the pair linked up again when the 32-year-old made the switch to Merseyside.
However it remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to perform consistently at this level, and will have his work cut out when up against French striker Guillaume Hoarau.
The Young Boys frontman is a handful, and has already netted against Everton when he opened the scoring in the first leg.
The 30-year-old is the Swiss side’s top scorer this season with 13 goals, six of which have come in his seven European appearances.
Alcaraz may well find he has a busy night trying to keep the former Paris Saint-Germain player quiet, with Young Boys expected to play in an expansive manner as they strive to overturn the imposing first-leg deficit.
Ross Barkley v Sekou Sanogo Junior
Ross Barkley has found life tough in recent weeks, with the young midfielder struggling to recapture the sparkling form that shot him into the international set-up last year.
His performance against Young Boys in the first leg gave Everton fans cause for optimism as the Liverpool-born player produced a confident display which seemed to dispel suggestions that he could do with a break from the team.
However, Barkley’s frustrating campaign continued against Leicester City and it is imperative that he use the opportunity Young Boys’ visit represents to get his season moving in the right direction.
Standing in his way is Ivorian midfielder Sekou Sanogo Junior, who will provide a robust obstacle which Everton will have to work hard to break down.
The 25-year-old is an integral part of the Young Boys midfield, acting as a disruptive force offering protection to the at-times-vulnerable backline.
Beginning his career at Africa Sports in his native Ivory Coast, Sanogo Junior enjoyed spells at Swiss clubs FC Thun and Lausanne-Sport before moving to Young Boys.
He has a somewhat rudimentary approach to his football, and it will be interesting to see if Barkley possesses the necessary craft to negate his presence and help fire Everton into the last 16.
By Neil Jones / Echo
Tim Howard v Tim Howard 
