Prediction: Everton vs Leicester City



Verdict: Leicester City not to lose

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: bet365

Having all but ruined their chances of securing Champions League qualification, Everton will now struggle to find motivation for the final seven games of the campaign. The Toffees are now up agains resurgent Leicester City, who won six straight games since Craig Shakespeare took over from Claudio Ranieri.

Everton

Everton have definitely made progress under Ronald Koeman as the Toffees have already surpassed last season’s tally by four points, and there are another seven games to go. However, the Goodison Park outfit have just missed a very good opportunity to join a top 4 chase, and they have nobody else to blame but themselves. Everton were first beaten by less than impressive Liverpool in Merseyside derby, before failing to hold on to a 1-0 lead at Old Trafford and conceding in the dying moments of the match. As a result, the Toffees currently sit seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who also have a game in hand, meaning their Champions League dream is effectively over. Nevertheless, there are a lot of positives to be taken from this season as youngsters Ademola Lookman, Troy Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate have all showed a great deal of potential, whereas star striker Romelu Lukaku has enjoyed the best season of his career. That is likely to prove both a blessing and a curse, as chances are Everton will not be able to keep hold of the Belgian when big clubs come calling in the summer. Meanwhile, they’ve got another seven games to negotiate before the season comes to an end and the first of those could prove quite difficult.

Team News

Gareth Barry may not be risked as he will get a two-match ban if he is booked against Leicester, but Ashley Williams definitely misses out through suspension.

The likes of Funes Mori, Coleman, Lennon, McCarthy, Besic and Bolasie are all sidelined through injury.



Leicester City

Leicester City chiefs were harshly criticised for their decision to sack the man who brought them the Premier League trophy, but, oddly as it may sound, they appear to have been spot on. Few weeks later and Leicester City are in the Champions League quarter-finals, while the run of five league wins saw them escape the danger zone and move on the brink of top 10 positions. So far, things have been dreamy for new manager Craig Shakespeare, who has won each of six competitive fixtures since taking over the reigns and there are no doubts his players will fancy their chances when facing injury-plagued Everton at Goodison Park. The entire team obviously raised their game since Claudio Ranieri left, bit the most important thing is that Jamie Vardy is back amongst the goals, while Riyad Mahrez has finally started showing improvement as well. It is important to note though that the 3-2 triumph over West Ham was the only away game under Craig Shakespeare, while the Foxes had lost four straight matches on the road prior to the trip to London Stadium.

Team News

Wes Morgan, Nampalys Mendy and Molla Wague remain in the infirmary, but there have been no fresh selection worries for Craig Shakespeare.

Key Factors to Consider

• Leicester won all six games under Shakespeare
• The Foxes also ended a four-match losing run on the road
• Everton are without 7 first team players
• Leicester won three of last four meetings with Everton (L1)
• The Foxes won last two games at Goodison Park

Conclusion

Everton are missing quite a few important footballers and the busy schedule could create additional problems. Leicester City, on the other hand, are playing their best football of the season and we expect their excellent run to continue.

Verdict: Leicester City not to lose

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: bet365