Leicester City had one of the most thrilling matches against Stoke City last week, where Ranieri saw six of his players getting booked and his star striker Jamie Vardy getting red-carded. The only positive Leicester City could take away from that match will be that they came out unscathed at the end as they scored two late goals to draw the game.
They face a faltering Everton side on Boxing Day, who have just managed to win just three of their last 13 matches. It is a miracle how they are still in the 9th place.
Leicester got the better of Toffees both the times last season and they will be looking to keep it that way this time too. However, Boxing Day hasn’t been quite a perfect occasion for the Foxes to play games. They haven’t won any Premier League game on Boxing Day since 1998, while Everton are unbeaten in their last four away league games on Boxing Day. All the suspensions accumulating in the Stoke City game could now come to haunt Ranieri.
Defence
The mindless game against Stoke City was too much for someone who has just returned from a serious injury. Schmeichel will be hoping to have a better game this time under the bar.
Ranieri is having a huge crisis at the back as he has to do without the likes Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth. Jeffery Schlupp wasn’t included in Leicester’s squad last week and is expected to replace Fuchs on the left-hand side. The Ghana international has played in 4 league games this season and has the required experience to start such a game. Danny Simpson had picked up a booking too but Ranieri will, fortunately, have him on the right defensive flank.
Ranieri has Yohan Benalouane and Marcin Wasilewski as the other options in the centre-back role. While neither has started a match in the Premier League this season so far, Wasilewski did start in a UEFA Champions League match and we expect Ranieri to go with him alongside Morgan.
Middle
Leicester will continue to miss Danny Drinkwater in the midfield and is expected to stick with Andy King and Daniel Amartey in that position. Amartey scored the equaliser in the thrilling match and Ranieri will want him to pull the team out of pressure situations here too.
Demarai Gray and Mahrez will start on the flanks. Albrighton had a disastrous match against Stoke and was substituted right at the stroke of half time. Gray came on in place of him to assist Leicester’s opener, which sparked the comeback.
Attack
Ahmed Musa and Slimani are expected to start up front in the striker’s role. Although Ulloa got the all-important goal for Leicester last match, he could be impactful from the bench.
