England Premier League
Wednesday 20th April 2022
Kick off at 7:45pm BST
Venue: Goodison Park
Match Preview:
It’s another ‘cup final’ for Everton as they face Leicester at Goodison in this midweek clash. Frank Lampard’s side have not played for over a week but their last result could mean a lot given that they beat Manchester United 1-0. That win happened at home and the club have responded well here compared to away.
As it stands Everton are in 17th place and 3 points above the relegation zone. Burnley in 18th played at the weekend and they drew 1-1 at West Ham. From an Everton prospective that wasn’t the worst result given that Burnley were leading in that game. There have been encouraging signs at Everton but they are far from out of trouble with just three points being the difference. Overall form for Everton has not been good with three defeats from their last five games and that includes losing two of their last three. However at home at least the club seem to have hopes and have won their last two.
Victory would see Everton stay in 17th place as Leeds in 16th are 5 points clear but that won’t matter at all to the Toffees and what will be more important is getting a good win and moving six points clear of Burnley, which because of goal difference could well be seven points clear by the time they play the following day.
Leicester lost 2-1 at Newcastle at the weekend and they are in 9th place. Qualifying for Europe via the league is more or less over even though they have some games in hand but the Foxes are in the Conference League in Europe so they could still finish their season on a high after reaching the semi-finals. Recent form has been decent but it is bookended by two defeats. On the road Brendan Rodgers side have been poor with 8 defeats from 15 games and they haven’t won away since beating Burnley six weeks ago.
Team News:
Everton: There are no new injuries for the club ahead of this game. Yerry Mina with a thigh injury is due to return for this game but he will have to be assessed. Andros Townsend and Nathan Patterson are out for the season with a knee and ankle injury respectively.
Leicester: Jamie Vardy will be assessed but the news on his return from a knee injury has been quiet, so he is touch and go for this game. Boubakary Soumare has a groin injury but will be assessed. Ryan Bertrand and Ndidi both knee are out for the season. Danny Ward is out with a knee injury but could return next month.
Everton vs Leicester Head to Head:
Last season this fixture finished 1-1.
Everton have gone the last 3 meetings unbeaten against Leicester.
There is a 60% chance to see over 2.5 goals.
It’s been 21 years since the clubs drew 0-0.
Everton vs Leicester Prediction:
Leicester have shown a lot of resilience in some recent matches even when they haven’t had a lot to play for, witness their draw at Manchester United as an example. While the Foxes are not having a great season in the league they are still a dangerous side who have come to Everton over the past decade and came away with victories.
This is a very difficult game for Everton although one will wonder how much a boost it would have been for the players to have beaten Manchester United. The team have also had a break although sometimes it can have the opposite effect. If Lampard has been able to spend quality time with his players they could well come into this game very focused. On paper the teams look equal but as Lampard has admitted on a few occasions this isn’t always about quality for Everton but about the passion of the fans at home and how they have really been that 12th person on the pitch.
This is a game that could go either way, Leicester are not a side to lie down and read the script and Everton will have to work for their victory, if all the players give that commitment then they have every chance to win this game and it would simply be huge for them.
Everton vs Leicester Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Everton) at 1.625
Anytime goalscorer: Richarlison at 2.50
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