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Leicester City aiming to exploit Everton’s European hangover

| 21.02.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Everton, odds-on favourites with Coral at 5/6 to sink Leicester City, may have shored up their defence recently, but stability appears to have come at the expense of attacking intent.

The Toffees have scored just once in their last four Premier League games, a stat which is highly unusual for a Roberto Martinez team. However, the Merseyside men managed to net four last time out in the Europa League, giving fans hope that they have finally struck the right chord this season.

Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is suspended for this outing, but flying full back and top assist provider Leighton Baines could return from injury to provide further thrust.

A marvellous matchday special is also on offer, with excellent odds of 11/4 available for leading man Romelu Lukaku to score and Everton to win, but punters should note that the maximum stake for this bet is £20.

Powerful Lukaku is also a fantastic 4/1 to strike first for the Toffees, having helped demolish Swiss Super League side Young Boys midweek by hitting a hat-trick. The big Belgium forward is now a 20/1 chance to repeat that feat against Leicester.

Inventive Ross Barkley and in-form Kevin Mirallas are also available at 10/1 and 6/1 to strike first and last respectively, and fluster the floundering Foxes.

Nigel Pearson’s side are currently propping up the Premier League on just 17 points, so visit Goodison Park as unlikely outsiders at 7/2 to triumph, but could capitalise if the Toffees are still tired from their midweek exertions. Martinez’s men have won just two of their six league games following clashes on the continent.

With John Stones back to full fitness and masterfully marshalling Everton’s backline, the Merseysiders have leaked just two goals in five games across all competition, so are a tasty 2/1 to win to nil.

Leicester’s most effective attacker is Leonardo Ulloa, who has struck seven times in the league this season. However, the Argentine has lost his starting spot since the arrival of Andrej Kramaric in the winter window, so is best value at 2/1 to grab a goal anytime, or 7/1 to score last.

Crafty Kramaric, meanwhile, may look a little rough around the edges, but has made an instant impact at the King Power Stadium. After netting twice in his past two outings across all competitions the Croatia striker is a superb 7/1 to draw first blood.

Both Everton and Leicester desperately need to collect three points, but head-to-head history between these two teams suggests odds of 13/5 for them to split the spoils are the most favourable. Eight of the Toffees and Foxes’ last 10 duels have ended on even terms, with a 2-2 draw thrashed out already at the King Power earlier this campaign.

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Author

Holly Thackeray

Holly is a member of the content team, and can often be found on the sports desk writing about favourite topics Serie A and East Asian footballing nations. A recent darts convert, she is also a fully-fledged member of Barney's Army and a proud Leeds-born Manchester United fan.