It’s going to be an emotional night at the King Power Stadium this coming Saturday as Leicester City prepare for their formal coronation as English Premier League champions. Before the trophy presentation, the Foxes will first entertain Everton in a game that still holds mid-table implications for the Merseyside club.
Can Leicester make it a double celebration and end their memorable home campaign on a strong note? Or will Everton spoil their party? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Spurs vs. Thunder and Cavs vs. Hawks.
To say that Leicester City had a great season would be a severe understatement.
The Foxes’ impossible dream turned into reality on Monday as they clinched their first league title in their 132-year club history. Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge ensured that Leicester City wouldn’t be caught at the top of the Premier League table with two games left to play. It has been a magnificent run for the Foxes who have lost only three times in the league this season.
With their 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, Leicester stretched their unbeaten run in the league to nine matches. The Foxes will fancy their chances of extending that excellent form against Everton as they have fared extremely well at home this season. The Foxes are tops in the league in points scored at home this campaign with 39. They have scored 32 goals in 17 matches played at King Power Stadium.
Leicester have no new injury problems for the match against Everton, though midfielder Danny Drinkwater and centre-half Robert Huth will miss Saturday’s fixture after receiving suspensions following last weekend’s stalemate with the Red Devils. The Foxes, however, will be boosted by the return of star striker Jamie Vardy who’s back after serving a two-match ban. He’s third in the league in scoring this season with 22 goals to his name.
The Foxes are 4-2-0 in their last six Premier League home matches.
Betting on Everton (10-14-11, 44 pts)
Everton put their FA Cup disappointment behind them with a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday. Leighton Baines scored the winner for the Toffees who sealed their first league win in nine matches. That victory eases the pressure somewhat on manager Roberto Martinez who’s been the subject of vitriol of irate Everton supporters of late.
The Toffees will look to make it back-to-back wins when they lock horns with champions Leicester this coming Saturday. For Everton to record a major upset this weekend, they will need to improve on their play on the defensive end. They are 13th in the Premier League in scoring defense, allowing 49 goals this season. Leicester City scored three goals against that leaky defense in their first meeting at Goodison Park this season.
The Toffees, in particular, will need to pay special attention to Leicester star Riyad Mahrez. The newly-minted PFA Player of the Year has been a vital cog in the Foxes’ incredible success this campaign, scoring 17 goals and dishing out 11 assists. Mahrez scored twice in the reverse fixture against Everton earlier this season.
The Toffees are 2-2-2 in their last six Premier League away matches.
