Premier League: Which Winless Club Can Finally Get Off the Mark?

Leicester City vs Everton

After a slow and disastrous start to their Premier League campaigns, this match-up is exactly what Leicester City and Everton need.

Both in the bottom half of the table, the Foxes are aiming for a first win at the expense of the visiting Toffees, who, themselves, are hoping that the light at the end of the tunnel can be found at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester City—Championship winners last season—are no strangers to an up-and-down tempo. They’ve experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, yet they’re still alive and kicking. They know what it feels like to pick themselves up by the bootstraps and work with a depleted crew against stronger clubs.

And this early season struggle is no different.

Meanwhile, regardless if the Everton higher-ups have already confirmed that Sean Dyche’s job is safe, another massive blunder wouldn’t do him nor the Toffees a lot of favours.

Having already been embarrassed quite a number of times early on in the season, Everton fans are one of the strongest individuals known to man. But I highly doubt they want to be stronger.

 

Talking Points

Leicester’s prayers may soon be answered

Steve Cooper, like Sean Dyche, is feeling the pressure of delivering results that they know their team are capable of. And though things haven’t pan out the way Cooper wanted, the game against Everton might finally produce the win Leicester have been longing for.

Two draws and two defeats in their four league matches so far, and there are already those calling for Cooper’s head on a plate. But the sentiment may be a tad harsh, considering the stage of the season so far.

They were dealt a tough curtain raiser against Spurs, to which they collected a point thanks to Jamie Vardy being himself—a rugged veteran whose goalscoring prowess is well proven. Leicester then suffered back-to-back defeats against Fulham and Aston Villa—games where they scored and could’ve at least salvaged a draw.

Against Crystal Palace was the latest installment of them feeling the brunt of being hard done by. The Foxes went up 2-0 courtesy of Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi. They played well and looked the strong side for the most part, only to come out of the match with one point after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half brace.

“It’s a pity that we conceded the goals in the way we have because I don’t think that really typified the mentality that we showed, but we have to own it, and we have to keep going,” Cooper said in an interview.

But against a struggling Everton side, Leicester’s chance of winning increases, with the Toffees—like the confectionery to which the club’s moniker was inspired—looking like gift-wrapped presents to the hungry Foxes.

 

Déjà vu for Everton

Had things been a little kinder, then everyone would be talking about how Sean Dyche had managed to turn things around after heavy losses against Spurs and Brighton.

But Premier League football is anything but, and the Toffees are currently on a four-game losing skid—two of which were nightmarish scenarios you wouldn’t want to wish on your worst enemy.

At home against Bournemouth, Everton scored twice in 10 minutes to go up 2-0 via Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But just when they thought the match was sealed, Bournemouth hit back with a quick-fire comeback, scoring in the 87^th, 92^nd and 96^th minutes.

Then away versus Aston Villa, where Sean Dyche’s side went 2-0 up once again, before Ollie Watkins’ brace and a screamer from Jhon Duran buried the Toffees.

 

History

Dating back to the old First Division, Leicester City and Everton are frequent match-ups with each other, with 119 games played between them. The Toffees have the upper hand with 45 wins, whilst Leicester have 39 and the other 35 games were draws.

In their last seven meetings, however, Leicester were only able to win once (back in 2022), with Everton being the more superior side (3W-3D).

They last met in May 2023, where points were shared in a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium.

 

Betting Tip

Both clubs have yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League, with Everton conceding 13 goals to Leicester’s seven. Regardless of their defensive frailties, they’ve proven that they can score, hence my tip.

For a more straightforward bet, the SBOTOP Premier League 2024 odds have the Foxes as the slight favourites at 2.46, whilst Everton are priced at 2.59 and a draw goes for 3.22.

Regarding other Premier League 2024 updates, Everton’s prized centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite is nearing his return this month, whilst Seamus Coleman’s fitness will be assessed come matchday.

Leicester’s Odsonne Edouard can also make his debut after being ineligible against the Eagles due to league rules.

   

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