Everton at Leicester City: Projected XI | A Rare Start for Kenny?

It seems like when your faith is at its lowest in Everton, they give you something to cling onto. It’s what keeps you on the hook. That never (quite) total hopelessness.

And, so, here we are again, wondering: what if?

So, how will the mighty Blues of Everton line up against high-flying Leicester City, who could potentially go top of the table with a win?

Who’s Out?

There’s no change in availability since the weekend.

Lucas Digne and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are longer term absentees, while James Rodriguez and Fabian Delph remain out and Carlo has said he doesn’t want to rush back Seamus Coleman.

That means we could well see the same line-up against from Carlo Ancelotti.

Unless he chooses to rotate his side ahead of Saturday’s clash with Arsenal. If he does so, we could see the likes of Jonjoe Kenny, Andre Gomes, Bernard and even Cenk Tosun make an appearance.

Tactics and Formation

It would be a surprise to see Carlo deviate from the 4-2-3-1 that worked against Chelsea. But I think there could be one change in personnel and a slight reshuffle at the back.

The idea of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina trying to catch Jamie Vardy isn’t an appealing one, so I’m backing Mason Holgate to move over to centre back, and Jonjoe Kenny slotting in at right-back intstead.

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Jordan Pickford – 9/10

Jonjoe Kenny – 6/10

I think that Mason Holgate could be moved to centre-back here in order to add some much-needed pace to cope with Jamie Vardy. Therefore Jonjoe Kenny could get a rare start in a Blue shirt.

Ben Godfrey - 8/10

Michael Keane – 9/10

Mason Holgate - 7/10

He should move to centre-back in place of the injury-prone Yerry Mina to provide more pace. If not, then Holgate will probably start at RB.

Allan – 9/10

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 8/10

Outside chance he may be rested with Tom Davies and Andre Gomes waiting in the wings.

Alex Iwobi – 8/10

Will probably start on the right wing, unless Carlo wants to rotate.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 9/10

Put in his best Everton performance in a long, long time at the weekend and should keep his place here.

Richarlison – 8/10

Another one who could be rested, with Bernard waiting in the wings.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 9/10

Again, also an outside chance he may be rested for the first time this season. Could there be a chance for Cenk!?

Bench

Robin Olsen

Yerry Mina

Tom Davies

Andre Gomes

Bernard

Anthony Gordon

Cenk Tosun