It has been a mixed start to the season for new manager Marco Silva. Although Everton enjoyed an unbeaten run for the first four games, their campaign was derailed by back-to-back defeats at the hands of West Ham United and Arsenal.
However, Everton got themselves back to winning ways last weekend with an emphatic 3-0 win over Fulham, courtesy a wonderful performance by Gylfi Sigurdsson. But they couldn’t replicate their good form in the Carabao Cup and crashed out of the tournament after a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Southampton.
The Toffees currently sit 11th in the Premier League standings with nine points and they must aim to improve on that when they make the trip to King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Saturday.
Everton will be without the services of Andre Gomes, Yerry Mina and Seamus Coleman, who are out due to injuries but Marco Silva should make some radical changes to the line-up that played in the Carabao Cup.
England’s No.1 has been in good form this season and should replace Maarten Stekelenburg between the sticks.
The youngster has done a decent job in Seamus Coleman’s absence and must start once again on Saturday.
He has been a bit inconsistent and sloppy but Everton do not have many other choices in Yerry Mina’s absence.
He has been a reliable presence at the back and Silva should hand him a start ahead of Mason Holgate.
Leighton Baines wasn’t particularly good in the Carabao Cup tie and should make way for Lucas Digne, who has started the majority of the games in the Premier League.
He looked a bit rusty in the League Cup tie but Silva should provide him with more chances to find his feet.
He has been good with his passing and has shielded the rearguard at times with crucial tackles and interceptions which should convince the manager to hand him another start.
The English international has been in impressive form this season and scored in the Carabao Cup. Silva should continue starting him.
The Brazilian has produced some good football in the attacking third and Silva must provide him with a start against the Foxes.
He produced a match-winning performance and scored a brace against Fulham last weekend. Everton need him to come good this weekend as well.
The Turk opened his account for the season last weekend with a good header and he must aim to rack up the goals once again.