EVERTON VS. LEICESTER CITY:
MARTINEZ LAUDS INSPIRATIONAL
PREMIER LEAGUE LEADERS
By Tom Webber
Everton boss Roberto Martinez says Premier
League leader Leicester City is "capable of
achieving anything this season".
Roberto Martinez considers Leicester City an
inspiration as he prepares his Everton side for
the visit of the Premier League leader on
Saturday.
Claudio Ranieri's team returned to the
summit with an impressive 2-1 victory over
defending champion Chelsea on Monday.
Jamie Vardy took his Premier League tally
this season to 15 with the opening goal, while
Riyad Mahrez – who has been involved in 18
top-flight goals this season – also hit the
back of the net as Leicester extended their
unbeaten run to nine matches by winning
what proved to be Jose Mourinho’s last game
as Chelsea boss.
Everton manager Martinez thinks seeing a
team with a smaller budget exceed
expectations on a consistent basis proves to
others there is always a chance of pulling off
a surprise.
"Leicester deserve to be top of the league and
are a team who have been really, really
dynamic," said the Spaniard. "When you
develop that momentum it can be very, very
powerful. They are capable of achieving
anything this season.
"They are refreshing for modern football
because we all know that finances dictate a
lot and normally in any competition at the
end of the season the expected sides more or
less are always there.
"When you see teams like Leicester and the
nature of this year's competition, I think it's
an inspiration and is something that you
want every footballer to believe – that you
can achieve something that you're probably
not predicted to achieve."
Ranieri is keen for his players to put
Monday's win behind them and focus on
overcoming Everton.
"We understood to beat the champions was
not easy. Now it's important the players clear
their minds," he said. "When other teams play
against us, maybe we think twice. For us, it's
not important what they think, but how we
play.
"It is important to maintain this friendly
group. In every match they help each other. I
love it."
Everton is unbeaten in eight matches in all
competitions, but has only taken all three
points in just two of its last six Premier
League games.
Historically, Leicester has struggled against
Everton, winning just one of the previous
20 top-flight clashes. However, it is unbeaten
in its last 11 Premier League away games,
winning seven in the process.
Jeffrey Schlupp (hamstring) is sidelined for
up to six weeks while Danny Drinkwater will
miss out after limping off against Chelsea.
Martinez confirmed John Stones will be fit to
feature despite going off against Norwich City
through injury, while Romelu Lukaku will be
looking to extend his run of scoring in each of
the last six Premier League games.
James McCarthy, Phil Jagielka and Steven
Pienaar are all nearing comebacks, though
only the former has a chance of featuring on
Saturday.
Key Opta stats:
- Of all fixtures that have been played at least
five times in the Premier League, Everton
versus Leicester City has the highest
percentage of draws (72%).
- Steven Naismith has scored in both of his
Premier League appearances against
Leicester City.
- If Leicester City win this match, they'll be
top of the league on Christmas Day. Five of
the last six teams to have been leading the
league on December 25 have gone on to win
the title, with the exception in this period
being Liverpool in 2013-14.
- Since Lukaku’s Premier League debut for
Everton in September 2013, only Sergio
Aguero (49) has more goals in the
competition than the Belgian (37).
- Only Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang (18) has netted more goals in
Europe’s top five leagues this season than
Jamie Vardy (15) coming into this weekend.
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EVERTON vs LEICESTER CITY
PREVIEW
Premier League
KO
10:00 AM


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That game wil end draw

If Chelsea thread who is battling relegation can hit front page then I see no reason why Leicester city ( The EPL leader ) thread cant made front page. Leicester city will also play Liverpool on boxing day dec 26 in another test for the league leader.