Everton vs Leicester City
Date: 31/01/18
K.O: 19.45pm
Venue: Goodison Park
After Everton’s’ third-round exit to their city neighbours in the FA Cup, they have had a weekend off and will be well-rested for the trip of in-form Leicester City. Their visitors are yet to lose a game in 2018 and are coming off a comfortable fourth-round victory in the FA Cup against Peterborough.
Claude Puel made 10 changes to the side that seen of Watford 2-0 in their last Premier League fixture at Peterborough and despite the changes, his side put on a professional and satisfactory performance as they seen off a sturdy Posh side, 5-1. Kelechi Iheanacho and new signing, Fousseni Diabate, both bagged a brace on Saturday and the pair will both be seeking their names to be in the starting XI come Wednesday night at Goodison Park.
The latter of the pair, who was bought in for £4.4million from French Ligue 2 side Gazelec Ajecco, impressed in his first senior start for the Foxes and will certainly offer a different attacking stance for Leicester. Soon come, although the fixture against the Toffees could be too soon, it could be that Mahrez and Diabate start on opposite wings in what would be a skilful offensive for Leicester. Both players were scouted from French Ligue 2 sides for a collective sum of £4.85million, if Diabate turns out anywhere near like Mahrez, it will be another successful scouting achievement for Leicesters’ backroom staff.
Schmeichel will return between the sticks for City with Danny Simpson likely to replace Daniel Amartey at right back due to his greater experience in England’s top flight. Who starts next to Maguire is still not known and the return of Robert Huth to the bench against Peterborough has certainly given Puel a selection dilemma with Yohan Benalouane and Aleksandar Dragovic both making good claims to begin from the outset. It would be no surprise to see the return of Ben Chilwell at left-back as the youngster is gradually beginning to state his place as the regular choice at left back.
As for the Toffees, they are yet to win in 2018 and 3 points in this fixture is imperative to a top half finish. Everton currently sit 6 points behind their counterparts on Wednesday and the result come Wednesday will give us a good reflection as to which of the two will finish higher and which of the two is likely to finish 7th behind the ‘top six’. Although, it has to be said, Burnley can’t be ruled out for this position and it is starting to look like a three-horse race.
Embed from Getty ImagesSince Allardyce’s appointment back in November, the outlook on the current campaign for the blue half of Merseyside has been much more optimistic than it was during Ronald Koemans’ tenure. After considerable spending in the Summer, Everton recruited some big Premier League names, Rooney and Sigurdsson being two who spring to mind. Yet, after a feeble Europa League campaign, where the Toffees won only 1 group game, the hope has been on a successful League season. It is fair to say they have struggled and this season won’t be one remembered for a fearless and successful Everton side, however this game against the Foxes may be the start of a strong end to their campaign.
As for the side, Rooney will likely return to the starting XI as he missed out from last weekend’s draw with West Brom. As for new January signing, Theo Walcott, he will be hoping to fit into Southgate’s plans for the World Cup in Russia and although he hasn’t played for England since November 2016, if he can start playing consecutive games in Merseyside, then it may not be too late. Allardyce has confirmed that Seamus Coleman will return to the match day squad after 10 months out with a broken leg which he suffered for Ireland in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Leighton Baines will be missing as he remains out with a calf strain as will James McCarthy with him recovering from a successful operation. As for their other long term absentee, Ramiro Funes Mori, he has returned back to first team training and will soon be back in contention.
Score Prediction – Everton 1 Leicester 1:
There has been 23 goals between these two in their last 5 fixtures and both sides are good top flight sides with a capable team behind them. Everton’s attack is yet to wake up this calendar year and facing a Leicester side who have held 3 consecutive clean sheets in the Prem, scoring past them won’t be easy. Leicester do like a trip to Goodison and I think they will be eager to continue their great form but I think both teams will cancel each other out in this one.
Written by Eamon Kitching.
