This is a huge match down at the bottom of the table between Leicester and Everton at the King Power Stadium. Both teams are currently inside the relegation zone so a victory would be crucial if either could find a way to get the 3 points. Dean Smith has done well recently steadying the ship at the Foxes. They have picked up 4 points from their last 2 games with improved performances. Everton have struggled for victories and won just 1 of their last 10 games. Under Sean Dyche they will fight until the end though.
Below, I’ve assembled my stats pack for this afternoon’s skirmish with contains everything you need to stuff your bet builders with smarter selections. Use the data below in conjunction with my Stats Pack Guide to enhance your chances of success.
Predicted Lineups
Kelechi Iheanacho suffered a groin injury in midweek against Leeds and is possibly ruled out for the rest of the season. Centre back Jonny Evans could be back at the weekend, but this fixture comes too soon for him. Jamie Vardy should therefore start upfront, and he looked sharp at Elland Road coming off the bench to score the equaliser. Harvey Barnes and James Maddison should now be at full fitness after missing the victory vs Wolves.
Everton have received a major boost by the news that veteran defender Seamus Colman has recovered from an injury and should be in the starting XI. The Toffees will likely lineup in a 4-5-1 formation and the rest of the team should be very similar compared to the previous fixture. Dominic Calvert Lewin came through the Newcastle match unscathed and even scored a tight offside goal. He will lead the line and give them a physical presence.
Team Stats
Leicester average 1.33 goals per game but 1.73 against. These figures are quite accurate as well because their xG and xGA metrics are very similar. The Foxes fire in 11.03 shots per game compared to 14.33 from their opponents. Their own SOT rate is 3.70 and at the other end it’s 4.48.
Leicester have conceded a lot of corners this season at an average of 6.18 per game. They have an extremely low average of 3.58 themselves, perhaps explained by the fact that their wide players often cut inside. Cards have been middling numbers in Foxes fixtures at 3.50. They have generally been a fairly clean team this season.
Everton average a pathetic 0.76 goals per 90 mins and 1.52 against. They have slightly underachieved both offensively and defensively compared to their xG and xGA metrics. The Merseysiders only average 10.66 shots per game which is very low and 15.27 against. The opposition average nearly five SOT against them in each fixture.
Corners and cards have been high in Everton matches. In total, corners average 10.63 with most of them coming at the other end of the field. Everton have been fairly dirty racking up 2.24 in each game and 1.94 against.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Jamie Vardy has not endured a very good season and averages just 1.18 shots per 90 mins. However, the confidence of scoring vs Leeds in midweek should fire him up. Both James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are much more reliable in terms of attempts. Barnes usually hits the target at least once per game and England playmaker Maddison isn’t far behind. Youri Tielemans scored one of the best disallowed goals ever in the previous match and is capable of firing bullets from distance.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been plagued with injury this season but is set to lead the line in this match and you’d expect him to have at least a couple of efforts. He averages 2.20 shots per 90 mins and the next man to watch out for is Dwight McNeil (1.63) He scored directly from a corner vs Newcastle and can be a danger. The quartet of Keane, Iwobi, Onana and Doucoure all average around one shot per 90 mins. Keane can be a threat from set pieces which is an area to watch out for.
Player Goals and Assists
Harvey Barnes has scored 10 goals and is a real menace cutting inside on the left. He didn’t look fully match sharp vs Leeds but should improve for the minutes there and could arguably be Leicester’s biggest threat. Jamie Vardy has endured a difficult year but might be sparked into life by that recent goal. James Maddison is the key playmaker with seven assists, and he’s also netted nine goals. Maddison is a massive threat both from open play but also set pieces.
The Everton goalscoring charts make for bleak reading. Dwight McNeil is now the top scorer but only with 5 goals. Alex Iwobi has done extremely well to supply 6 assists this season considering the bleak options within the team. It is worth mentioning that Calvert-Lewin has only scored one Premier League goal but from only 13 appearances in what has been an injury ravaged campaign.
Player passes
Leicester average close to 50% possession and are expected to have a strong share of the ball here. They should dominate vs an Everton ide who typically sit back under Sean Dyche. Both Wout Faes and Youri Tielemans average over 60 passes per 90 mins and could be worth taking in the over 50 or over 70 markets. Soumare and Soyuncu are two players who might also see plenty of the ball in this fixture.
Everton average only 43.50% possession which is one of the lowest figures in the entire Premier League. Just two players rack up over 40 passes per 90 mins which tells its own story. Should Everton pick up more of the ball than expected then Gueye and Tarkowski could be worth looking out for, but realistically the Toffees will be playing on the break here.
Leicester City Cards and Fouls
Dean Smith’s men have generally been a clean team this season and it was noted in recent article that they are one of the fairest teams in the Premier League in terms of time wasting and wanting to ‘get on with the game’ The Foxes lack some of the dark arts of football with Maverick James Maddison sticking out as the black sheep with 8 cards. Soumare averages 1.73 fouls per 90 mins and Tielemans is not far behind him in midfield.
Both Onana and Gueye will draw some fouls in midfield. This is a team who will play for set pieces, so they are well drilled at trying to win cheap free kicks. Seamus Coleman will also add some experience into the mixer for this at right back. Calvert Lewin could be a handful upfront although he is so strong that is fouled less than once per 90 mins.
Match-Ups to watch
James Maddison vs Idrissa Gueye
Wout Faes vs Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Boubakary Soumare vs Andre Onana
EVerton Cards and Fouls
The midfield duo of Andre Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure will get stuck in and average relatively highly for fouls and cards. Irissa Gueye can be thrown into the mixer as well. This is the engine of the Everton team in the middle of the park. Harvey Barnes will be a difficult matchup and veteran Seamus Coleman will have to cover him. Tarkowski will also have to try and keep a lid on Jamie Vardy.
James Maddison is the obvious candidate to draw fouls and cards with his technical expertise and repertoire. Both wide men Praet and Barnes will need careful attention, especially Barnes who likes to cut inside and shoot regularly. Soumare will give anyone a tough midfield battle and the key to this match may well be in the central areas.
Match-Ups to watch
Andre Onana vs Boubakary Soumare
Idrissa Gueye vs James Maddison
Seamus Coleman vs Harvey Barnes
My Bet Builder Picks of the Pack
There’s so much to play for in this one, and it’s absolutely primed for a bet builder. I’ll be sorting one myself later on today, so make sure to check out my Live Tips Page so that you don’t miss it when it’s posted.
