As the busy Premier League schedule rolls on towards February, two teams with serious European aspirations meet at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, hoping to keep up their recent momentum.
Everton have won their last three games in all competitions, progressing to the FA Cup 5th Round in the process, as well as beating Wolves at Molineux two weeks ago, while Leicester are unbeaten in eight games, a run which stretches back to the last time these sides met, when Everton ran out 2-0 winners at the King Power.
That night, goals from Richarlison and Mason Holgate were enough for the Toffees, and the Brazilian is set to start after scoring in the 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday night. Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his first appearance since overcoming a hamstring injury in that game, and also managed to get on the score sheet.
There’s also positive news for Carlo Ancelotti in the shape of Lucas Digne and Alex Iwobi being available again. Left-back Digne missed seven games through injury over the Christmas period, but played 90 minutes in the win over Wolves, while Iwobi scored the opener in that game and will be available again.
Brazilian midfielder Allan is a long-term absence but should be back in contention in February, but Jean-Philippe Gbamin has no return date yet. Fabian Delph and Niels Nkounkou will miss out with a thigh injuries.
As for Leicester, their brilliant form has seen them move up to third in the table, and could go into the weekend top of the league if other results go their way.
In order to do that though, they’ll have to cope with the absence of arguably their most important player. Jamie Vardy underwent hip surgery recently but is only expected to miss two weeks, ruling him out for this game as well as the ones against Leeds and Fulham.
Also missing are Dennis Praet and Wes Morgan, with Praet set to miss at least two more months with a thigh injury, and Morgan suffering with a back injury.
Everton take on Leicester City on Wednesday, January 27th. Kick-off is at 8.15pm.
