Everton are back in Premier League action at Goodison Park against Leicester City on Saturday evening, as Frank Lampard aims to gather some momentum before the World Cup break.
This will be the Toffees’ final home game before the Premier League pauses for the World Cup in Qatar. They head into the weekend fixture off the back of a 0-0 draw with Fulham away.
Having won just three out of their 13 games so far this season, Lampard and co. will hope to make the Goodison faithful happy with all three points against a Leicester City side reeling in the bottom three.
Everton Early Team News
Nathan Patterson returned to the Everton squad against Fulham last time out but Ben Godfrey (leg), Yerry Mina (calf) and Andros Townsend (knee) all remain sidelined ahead of the Leicester City game.
Frank Lampard has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the weekend Premier League encounter.
Predicted Everton Lineup vs Leicester City (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford comfortably enjoys the No.1 status for Everton, despite having a fair share of highs and lows in recent times. The England international will start in goal against the Foxes.
Defence
Conor Coady and James Tarkowski have forged a solid understanding at the back this season, and the duo’s experience will come in handy to stop Jamie Vardy and co. on Saturday.
Nathan Patterson came off the bench last time out but is pushing to start at right-back over veteran Seamus Coleman. Vitalii Mykolenko, meanwhile, retains his spot at left-back in the Everton lineup, as the back four hopes to secure a clean sheet at home.
Michael Keane and Mason Holgate should offer cover for the defensive positions from the bench.
Midfield
Lampard should stick with Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye in the middle of the park in the Everton lineup. The duo of Onana and Gueye will look to use their athleticism, aerial ability and ball-winning skills to dominate Leicester City in the centre of the pitch.
Alex Iwobi has been one of Everton’s best players this season, and his subtle movements, directness and energy in the final third could cause problems for the Foxes’ defence.
Attack
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is slowly getting back to speed in the Premier League after a long injury lay-off. He should be deployed in the No.9 role in the Everton lineup, with Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon bringing flair and pace from the wide areas of the pitch. If Gray and Gordon can provide Calvert-Lewin with proper service in the box, Leicester could be in for a long evening at Goodison Park.
Neal Maupay, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil should be there as substitutes for this mouthwatering clash.
