WILL DYER (@w2Dyer) gives us his take on a pesky Goodison Park encounter prior to Leicester's Champions League quarter final.
Everton v Leicester | Sunday 16:00 | Sky Sports 1
It’s the eve of the Champions League quarter finals week and unfortunately Leicester find themselves playing late on a Sunday, away at Everton. That’s not ideal preparation and gives Craig Shakespeare even more reason to chop and change in order to cotton-wool his main men for the trip to Madrid.
The Foxes have won five on the bounce in the league now and hoisted themselves completely clear of the drop zone as a result. Additionally, they’ve won on their last two visits to Goodison Park, including just three months ago in the FA Cup Third Round thanks to a quick-fire Ahmed Musa double.
History of Goals
Another trend emerges when looking at the head to head of these clubs. The last seven meetings on Merseyside have all seen both teams to score bank, with Leicester actually scoring two or more on all of the last five Everton away days, pretty exceptional. Twelve of the last 14 meetings regardless of venue have also been BTTS winners.
The Toffees are a best price 3/4 with Bet365 to take all three points. It could look a great price come the team sheets but, without them, I’m not confident enough to tip it. Leicester’s line up could be very different to the one which beat Sunderland in midweek but the return of the buzz around the camp makes them a dangerous prospect whomever they field.
Everton have won ten of 15 home games this season, scoring 34 goals in the process. Thanks largely to Romelu Lukaku who is beginning to shape into a World Class goal-scorer, though other areas of his game remain lacking.
Youthful Exuberance?
This game could be all about youth prospects tomorrow. Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, Matthew Pennington and Ademola Lookman are all expected to take to the field tomorrow for the hosts. All of them are 22 or under. It’s exciting times for the Toffees faithful but more reason to pass the odds-on price on a home win.
Everton will have their eyes set on the possibility of clinching fifth place for a Europa League spot. They are just three points off that right now but you’d still expect Arsenal and Manchester United to kick on at some point and take that opportunity away from them.
Bank on BTTS
My selection will be Both Teams To Score at 4/5 with Betfair. The odds are around what I expected, Everton games land the wager 53% of the time this season, and Leicester 47% but it’s the head to head record and mix of youth and form that really invites me on this occasion.
The Foxes may rest a few but they won’t want to lose the momentum they’ve gained going into arguably the biggest game of their 133 year history. I think we’ll see these sides notch a few goals and possibly share the spoils.
Best Bets
Everton v Leicester – Both Teams To Score (4/5 Betfair)
