Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides who are looking to bounce back from their defeats over the weekend, Everton will host Claude Puel’s Foxes on Tuesday afternoon.
Everton
Starting with the hosts, while Everton’s 5-1 win away at Burnley on Boxing Day may have had fans around Goodison Park believing they had got their season back on track, the Blues have ended 2018 in very sluggish style. Epitomized by their 1-0 defeat against Brighton last weekend, Marco Silva’s side have now lost four of their last five and have now picked up just one league win since the 6th of October. With only their goal difference keeping them in the top half of the table, the former Watford boss will also be growing more concerned by Everton’s recent defensive issues. With no team in the top half of the table holding a worse defensive record entering the New Year, Tuesday’s hosts have failed to record a single clean sheet in their last seven league outings. While they might be struggling for form, Silva’s men do hold a very impressive record against the Foxes. The Blues have won four of their last five top-flight matches against Leicester.
Team News
Everton forward Richarlison should be fit after suffering a knock during the weekend defeat at Brighton.
Winger Ademola Lookman, who has missed the last three games with an ankle problem, will be assessed.
Leicester
As for the visitors, although a pair of wins against Manchester City and Chelsea may have seen Leicester dreaming of a European push, Claude Puel will be calling for an immediate response after their defeat on Saturday. With playmaker James Maddison missing a penalty, the Foxes’ fell to a shock 1-0 loss against Cardiff, the Bluebirds first win on the road this season. While the Blues have entered the New Year in eighth position and one-point ahead of their hosts on Tuesday, Leicester have now lost three of their last five Premier League outings. While they have now managed to record just a single clean sheet in their last six appearances, Puel’s men have had arguably put in their best performances on the road. Picking up a 1-0 on their last away match at Stamford Bridge, Leicester have lost just one of their last five matches away from the King Power, a run that stems back to the 22nd of October.
Team News
Leicester are monitoring Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan, who both missed the defeat to Cardiff due to illness.
Hamza Choudhury, who was rested for that game, is expected to return to the squad, but Daniel Amartey (ankle) and Matty James (Achilles) remain out.
Key Factors to Consider
- Everton have won four of the last five league meetings between the teams, including the last two, both by a 2-1 scoreline.
- Leicester’s last league win at Goodison Park was a 3-2 victory in December 2015, which ensured they would be top at Christmas during their title-winning season.
- Everton have lost three of their last four Premier League games.
- They haven’t won any of their last three home games (D2, L1), and conceded six goals against Spurs in their last home match.
- The Foxes have lost just one of their last five away matches (W2, D2).
Conclusion
On paper, both managers should see this as a perfect opportunity to pick up their first win of 2019. With both sides struggling with their defensive issues, coupled with them keeping just two clean sheets in their last 15 matches combined, we’re backing both teams to find the net at Goodison Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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