Everton vs. Wigan: 5 Key Battles to Watch

Wembley awaits for one of Everton and Wigan this weekend, as the Premier League duo meet at Goodison Park to contest the first FA Cup quarterfinal.

This is Wigan's best run in the competition since the 1986/87 season and the Latics have never progressed beyond this stage in their entire history.

After a poor sequence of results at the start of David Moyes' tenure, Everton's recent FA Cup pedigree is strong, with a semifinal and final trip in the past three seasons.

With Moyes' contract running down, and the Scot still unable to hoist silverware with the Toffees, cup success will be high on his personal agenda.

Ahead of Saturday's clash, here's a look at some potential key matchups that may prove decisive.

Marouane Fellaini vs. Gary Caldwell

Given the experimental look to most of Wigan's cup selections, it will be interesting to see the eventual lineup Roberto Martinez concocts.

The Spaniard has already stated he will make changes, prioritising Premier League survival, so it's hard to gauge the exact personnel likely to be deployed.

One man the visitors will have to carefully monitor is Marouane Fellaini, who has been imperious for the Toffees all season.

The Belgian is most troubled when faced with physical, gritty defenders who are hands-on, confrontational and generally hassle him throughout the game.

The likes of Jonas Olsson and Ryan Shawcross have perhaps done it best this season, but this is something Gary Caldwell has also been effective at in the past.

If selected, he certainly has the tools to give Fellaini a testing afternoon and their clash could prove pivotal in determining the outcome.

Callum McManaman vs. Seamus Coleman

One Wigan player chomping at the bit for selection this weekend will be Callum McManaman, who impressed for the Latics during the last round against Huddersfield.

Having been released from Everton’s academy as a 16-year-old, the attacker will feel he has unfinished business at Goodison Park and will be intent on making the Toffees rue that decision.

Against Huddersfield, McManaman drifted in from the left flank, setting up a couple of goals and scoring for just the fourth time in Wigan colours.

That performance certainly merits another outing and, if so, it's likely he will spend time facing up against Seamus Coleman, who's been in fine form himself since recently returning from injury.

Much of Coleman’s best work is achieved in the final third of the field and he will hope to keep the Wigan man pinned back as much as possible. The Irishman's still prone to the odd lapse of concentration in his own half, which is something McManaman will hope to exploit.

Paul Scharner vs. Everton's Set-Piece Formation

One man Evertonians will be dreading welcoming back is Paul Scharner, who has taken a fancy to the Toffees several times before.

Impressively, the Austrian has managed five of his 21 Premier League goals against Everton, in just 13 matches, with most of them coming via set-pieces. 

The Toffees have been shelling aerial goals in recent games and this extra vulnerability only increases the chances of the likes of Scharner prospering at dead-ball situations.

Hal Robson-Kanu's late effort for Reading was the 13th headed goal the Toffees have conceded this season—the most in the Premier League—and there have been several more shipped during cup games.

If Scharner does start, Everton will need to keep close tabs on him whenever there's a chance to deliver from a set-piece.

Arouna Kone vs. John Heitinga

Injury to Phil Jagielka means Everton are most likely to pair Sylvain Distin with John Heitinga at the heart of their defence.

As impressive as the Dutchman's resume may look—boasting over 50 international caps and a World Cup final appearance—his recent form for the Toffees has been truly dire.

Added to this, he will probably line up against Arouna Kone, who gave him a torrid time during a previous encounter in October, scoring one and powerfully surging past him to set up his side's second.

The Ivorian's on a decent streak at the moment, with four goals in his last three outings. His blend of pace and power form the exact mix that has continually alarmed Heitinga this season, and could well prove an avenue to success for Wigan.

Maynor Figueroa vs. Kevin Mirallas

A final clash to keep an eye on this weekend could be the battle between Kevin Mirallas and Maynor Figueroa.

Mirallas is likely to roam around in different channels in the final third, but will undoubtedly venture over to the right side at some point in the game. Here he will come up against Figueroa, on the left of Wigan's favoured back three.

After showing glimpses of class earlier in the season, Mirallas is now far more adjusted to English football and has scored in both of his past two outings.

The pair faced each other earlier in the season and, although Figueroa kept Mirallas quiet for the majority of play, the pair were involved in the game's decisive late penalty decision, pictured above.

Look for these two to renew acquaintances on Saturday.

Follow @Matt_Cheetham