Wolfsburg v Everton FC: Three key questionsAll the big talking points before the Blues' Europa League game in Germany
Will Roberto Martinez play it safe - or go for broke?Everton need just a point to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League - but three would guarantee top spot in Group H.
And doing so would, on paper at least, give the Blues an easier tie in the last 32 when the Champions League sides drop into the competition.
Victory at the VfL Wolfsburg Arena would also make the visit of Krasnodar on December 11 a dead rubber and allow Roberto Martinez to rest key players at the end of a run of six games in 19 days.
So how is Martinez going to approach the game?
Sure, he wants to win in Germany and Martinez is not the type to play for a draw but would he, privately at least settle, for a point against Wolfsburg tomorrow night?
The Blues have drawn both of their Europa League away games this season and with a number of key individuals on the sidelines through injury - not to mention to trip to Spurs on the horizon - the Everton boss may be content to simply avoid defeat in Germany.
Will Samuel Eto'o start?If the pattern of Everton’s selections in the Europa League are anything to by this season then Eto’o will lead the line in Germany.
The three-time Champions League winner has ploughed the lone furrow in Krasnodar and Lille whereas Martinez has started Romelu Lukaku in their two home games.
Martinez said of Eto’o this summer: “You might get one chance and the team relies on you to take that chance. We’ll benefit from that.”
In Krasnodar he proved that with a poacher’s finish to salvage a point when Everton looked like being frozen out in Russia.
And against a resurgent Wolfsburg, no doubt set on revenge after their 4-1 defeat at Goodison, the Blues may find chances harder to come by than they did in the reverse fixture in September.
Will Martinez give youth a chance?Everton jetted off from John Lennon Airport with a 20-man squad that included some of the club’s Blue Boys.
Academy goalkeeper Russell Griffiths, defenders Luke Garbutt and Tyias Browning and midfielder Ryan Ledson were on the plane to Wolfsburg today.
But will Martinez blood the youngsters?
Tony Hibbert filled in so admirably at left-back against West Ham that Garbutt is unlikely to start in place of the injured Leighton Baines and though Martinez has faith in Browning, Ledson and co. starting them against Wolfsburg may be a case of chucking them in at the deep end.
Perhaps though, the on loan Christian Atsu may be given a chance to impress.
The 22-year-old has struggled to make an impact since joining from Chelsea and has started just three times but today spoke of his desire to get it right at Goodison.
The question is: will Martinez trust him with a starting place on Thursday night?
By Phil Kirkbride / Echo
