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Attendance: 32,144
Leicester logo
Premier League | Gameweek 14
Dec 1, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Everton logo

2-1

Vardy (68'), Iheanacho (94')
FT(HT: 0-1)

Preview: Leicester City vs. Everton - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Leicester City and Everton, including team news and predicted lineups.

Leicester City will be looking to make it seven straight wins in all competitions when they welcome a struggling Everton to the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Foxes are currently second in the Premier League table following a fine start to the campaign, while Everton sit down in 16th spot having lost seven of their 13 league outings this term.


Match preview

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring their second goal against Crystal Palace on November 3, 2019© Reuters

Leicester were tipped by many to be potential challengers for a top-six spot this season, but few would have predicted that the Foxes would occupy second spot in the table after 13 matches of the 2019-20 campaign.

Nine wins and two draws have brought Brendan Rodgers's side 29 points, leaving them second in the division, eight points off leaders Liverpool heading into this weekend's matches.

Manchester City are a point off Leicester in third, while Chelsea sit a further two points behind in fourth. Rodgers's team are actually 10 points ahead of fifth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, showing that they are in a fine spot to secure a Champions League finish this term.

Since suffering a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on October 5, Leicester have won each of their five Premier League matches, keeping clean sheets in their last four. Indeed, the thumping 9-0 victory over Southampton on October 25 has been followed by three 2-0 successes over Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Foxes will feel that they have four winnable matches before taking on Man City on December 21, meanwhile, and it yet could be another sensational campaign for the club.

Everton's Mason Holgate celebrates scoring their first goal with Richarlison on October 29, 2019© Reuters

While Leicester are absolutely flying, the same simply cannot be said of Everton, who are down in 16th position in the table having only picked up 14 points from their 13 league matches this term.

Four wins, two draws and seven defeats - that is how the Merseyside giants have performed this season. They are only four points above the relegation zone, although just four points separates them from sixth-placed Sheffield United, which is an indication of how close things are in the table.

Everton took four points from their two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton before the international break but suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Norwich City last weekend.

Many believed that the defeat to the Canaries would see Marco Silva lose his job as head coach, but the Portuguese remains in the position leading into Sunday's tough game at the King Power Stadium.

The Toffees will be absolutely desperate for a result this weekend considering that their next four in the league are against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Leicester form: LWWWWW

Everton form: LWLDWL


Team News

Leicester City defender Jonny Evans pictured in October 2019© Reuters

Jonny Evans was forced off against Brighton last week with cramp, but the Leicester centre-back has been declared fit for this weekend's contest.

Matty James is also back in training, although the midfielder will not be considered for selection.

As a result, there are not expected to be any surprises in Rodgers's first XI, meaning that the likes of Dennis Praet and Demarai Gray are likely to have to accept spots on the bench once again.

Jamie Vardy will again lead the line with support from Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez and James Maddison, with Wilfred Ndidi supporting the base of the midfield.

As for Everton, Brazilian attacker Bernard could be available having recovered from the knee problem that has forced him to miss the team's last three matches.

Seamus Coleman is definitely unavailable due to injury, though, while Morgan Schneiderlin, Fabian Delph and Theo Walcott are also major doubts.

A lengthy injury list also includes the likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andre Gomes and Cuco Martina, showing the extent of Silva's problems ahead of the contest.

Cenk Tosun could again lead the line with support from Richarlison, while summer arrival from Arsenal Alex Iwobi is expected to be given the nod in a wide area.

Leicester possible starting lineup: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Ndidi; Ayoze Perez, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy

Everton possible starting lineup: Pickford; Sidibe, Mina, Holgate, Digne; Davies, Delph; Bernard, Iwobi, Richarlison; Tosun


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester 2-0 Everton

The Premier League seems to throw up surprise results at this stage of the season, but it is difficult to back against a home win this weekend considering the form of both teams heading into the clash.

Silva was actually sacked as Watford manager following a 2-0 loss at Leicester back in January 2018, and the Toffees boss would be under severe pressure if another defeat arrived on Sunday.



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Written by
Matt Law
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Leicester City defender Jonny Evans pictured in October 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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