Everton vs Leicester preview, predictions & possible XIs
Everton host Leicester City in the Carabao Cup this week, with both sides looking to advance to the semi-finals.
The pair have experienced differing campaigns in the Premier League with Leicester flying high while Everton struggle.
However, both have been doing well in the Carabao Cup so far, seeing off lower league opposition and one Premier League side each.
Everton made it past Lincoln City, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford en route to the quarter-finals, while Leicester beat Newcastle United, Luton Town and Burton Albion.
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Everton vs Leicester and where can I watch live?
Competition: Carabao Cup
Venue: Goodison Park
Date: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Kick-off: 7:45 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Everton vs Leicester
01 December 2019: Leicester 2-1 Everton (Premier League)
01 January 2019: Everton 0-1 Leicester (Premier League)
06 October 2018: Leicester 1-2 Everton (Premier League)
31 January 2018: Everton 2-1 Leicester (Premier League)
29 October 2017: Leicester 2-0 Everton (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Everton (LLWWL) 5-7 Leicester (WWLLW)
Ones to watch
Everton: Leighton Baines
Once one of the first names on the team sheet, Leighton Baines has had to make do with a peripheral role since Lucas Digne’s arrival.
But the Frenchman’s injury means Baines is set to be handed just his third appearance of the season and a first start.
Not capable of running down the flanks as much, Baines is still a monster with his dead-ball delivery and can be key to causing Leicester problems.
Key stat: Leighton Baines has not started a game for Everton since February 2, 2019.
Leicester: Harvey Barnes
With Leicester likely to rotate, one player who should find himself in the starting lineup is Harvey Barnes.
After a slow start, Barnes found himself as a regular starter for Leicester as they moved up the table but recently, he has had to make do with substitute appearances once again.
However, back in the team, Barnes should look to playing freely in attack, perhaps switching sides with whoever partners him to ensure Baines is in for a tough evening.
Key stat: Harvey Barnes has recorded four assists for Leicester this season.
Team news
Everton
Despite positive results under Duncan Ferguson, Everton’s players are dropping like flies through injury and illness.
Morgan Schneiderlin and Theo Walcott missed the 1-1 draw with Manchester United through injury while Djibril Sidibe and Gylfi Sigurdsson were ill. Lucas Digne also had to be taken off midway through the first half and is unlikely to be fit enough for Wednesday.
As a result, Leighton Baines is likely to start at left-back with Sidibe returning on the right. Everton’s midfield options are bare, meaning Mason Holgate is likely to continue in the middle.
Predicted XI: Pickford; Sidibe, Keane, Mina, Baines; Iwobi, Davies, Holgate, Bernard; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
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Leicester
With a fixture against Manchester City coming up at the weekend, and the chance to extend their lead over Pep Guardiola‘s side, Brendan Rodgers could rotate.
Jamie Vardy has started just one of their three Carabao Cup games so far, against Premier League opposition, but could be rested ahead of Saturday. Kelechi Iheanacho is likely to lead the line, with Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez returning to the side.
Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Morgan, Fuchs; Choudhury, Praet; Gray, Perez, Barnes; Iheanacho.
Squawka prediction
This will most likely be Ferguson’s final game in charge of Everton, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to replace him by the end of the week.
The motivation of this, combined with a possibly rotated Leicester side, could swing the tie in Everton’s favour though it will be close.
Scoreline prediction: Everton 2-1 Leicester
