Preview: Everton Vs Leicester City

It’s time for the Premier League again, and it’s time for Leicester City to pass the Sam Allardyce test as they face Everton at the Goodison Park.

Buzzing after a thumping 5-1 victory against Peterborough in the fourth round of the FA Cup, the Foxes are the form team of the Premier League at the moment, having not lost a single game this year. There’s every reason why their short run of invincibility could stretch beyond five games, going by the opponents they are up against today and on Saturday (Swansea City at home).

On paper, Everton have got the look of a team that must be in no doubt about their top six chances, but as it stands for them, they are ninth in the Premier League table, haven’t won in seven games and are closer to 20th-placed West Bromwich Albion (20 points) than they are to sixth-placed Arsenal (42 points).

The Toffees have further bolstered their squad by adding Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott, but as boss Sam Allardyce himself admitted, they are (still) short of confidence. This is something that Leicester City will back themselves to take full advantage of, even though they’d be playing at Goodison Park, a venue where they have only won once in the past 11 meetings (December 2015).

In an ideal world, you’d expect Leicester City to come back with a better win tally at the Toffees’ home for obvious reasons.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City escapes a challenge during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford at The King Power Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

Man to watch

With Riyad Mahrez expected to be dropped for the trip to Goodison Park, the onus is on Jamie Vardy to lead Leicester City. He may not be as skilful and intelligent as his Algerian teammate, but he can surely be the spark that his side would need to return home with the three points in their bag.

Quotes

"“I think it’s a great team with quality in the squad,” said Claude Puel.“I know they [spent] £200 million in the last 12 months to buy fantastic players with quality.“We know this team is dangerous with a lot of quality. We have to have a good focus and concentration about this team.“It’s not the same team like in my first game with Leicester. They were not in good confidence but now they play well with confidence and it will be a tough game.”"

Next: FOXES ON THE MOVE: Three Leicester City players who could leave on Deadline Day

Possible XI

Schmeichel; Simpson, Maguire, Dragovic, Chilwell; Ndidi, James, Albrighton, Gray, Okazaki; Vardy.