England Premier League
Sunday 8th May 2022
Kick off at 2pm BST
Venue: King Power Stadium
Match Preview:
It’s been a terrible week for Leicester who were knocked out of the Europa Conference League at the semi-final stage by Roma losing 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. That defeat has ended Leicester’s hopes to play in Europe next season and effectively their season is now over.
The cup run was glossing over the cracks at how the Foxes have not been up to their usual standards in the Premier League although it is true that they have had some key injuries this season and have missed forward Jamie Vardy for several months at a time. Brendan Rodgers side come into this game in 11th place with 42 points and are 10 points from a final European place but do have two games in hand over seventh placed West Ham but with a plethora of teams in between it would need poor form from them and Leicester to win their last five games to have any small chance of usurping the Hammers and anyone that has followed football will know that Leicester aren’t going to do it, the best they can hope for this season is a top half finish.
Form for Leicester has not been good with their last victory coming back a month ago against Crystal Palace and in their last four games they have earned 2 points. One of those points was playing Everton away and because of the rearranged fixtures these two teams are meeting for the second time in just over two weeks. That game finished 1-1 and Leicester were left disappointed given that they were leading the game up to the 92nd minute. Home form has been good for Rodgers side though and they have won 50% of their games here and lost just four times. Recently they have won 3 of their last four games at home with their last finishing in a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa.
The pressure remains for Everton who haven’t been relegated from the top flight in 71 years but Frank Lampard’s side have been impressive lately. Last weekend they beat the current European and World club cup champions Chelsea 1-0 in a huge game for the Toffees, but this is another for them and they will have several more before the end of the season. Had Everton lost against Chelsea they would be in 18th and 5 points from safety, unimaginable for them. So Everton come into this game in good spirits and could climb out of the bottom three if they get a win here and Leeds lose or draw.
The problem for Everton is evident: their away form. Everton have the worst away form in the league with just six points earned from a possible 48 and just one win. In their last 10 away games they have lost 9 and drawn one, and on average, they are conceding 2 goals per game.
Team News:
Leicester: Eldin Jakupovic has a knock and is only 50/50 to return for this game. Ndidi and Ryan Bertrand (both knee) are out for the season.
Everton: Andre Gomes has a knock but he could be assessed for this game. Donny van de Beek is out with a groin injury, Ben Godfrey is out with a thigh injury and will struggle to return before the end of the season. Nathan Patterson (ankle) and Andros Townsend (knee) are out for the season.
Leicester vs Everton Head to Head:
The last two meetings between the sides have both ended 1-1.
Last season Everton won this fixture 2-0.
It’s been five games since Leicester beat Everton.
5 from the last six games have seen both teams to score.
Leicester vs Everton Prediction:
Everton need to break their poor away form and start winning, that’s simpler than it sounds but at least for them Leicester come into this game with very little to play for. Everton’s performances have been improved even when they were beaten 2-0 at Liverpool, especially in the first half the teams tactics worked well. Defence has looked strong and solid, there looks to have been plenty of work on the training field with set pieces too. This is Everton’s moment to try and save their season.
Leicester have proved though that at home they are no pushovers, but one also has to take in account that the Foxes had to travel to Italy in midweek and lost the game and they will be deflated coming into this game, Everton have a golden chance, will they blow it again on the road? For us, we just can't bring ourselves to back Everton away from home yet, and with only 4 defeats at home all season for Leicester it seems sensible to back Leicester with the draw covered on the refund, even if the motivation isn't as high as it would usually be for them.
Leicester vs Everton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Leicester) at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Jamie Vardy at 2.60
Half Time Correct Score: 0-0 or 1-0 to Leicester at 2.75 and 4.50
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