Everton vs Leicester City: Projected XI

Unbeaten in over three months, with not even a goal conceded. Has there ever been a better time to be an Everton fan?

Well, maybe don’t look at what’s going on across the Park or outside the Liver buildings right now.

The Blues have been steady if unspectacular since the restart, picking up a solid four points from a possible six. But if Everton do want to reach Europe this season, this visit from Leicester City could be a key game.

Leicester have had an amazing season, with the Foxes still third in the table. The fact that they’ve not been praised more highly may simply be due to their previous foray into unexpected glory and the fact the Reds have been on a different level.

That said, the Foxes are very beatable. They’ve won just four of their last 15 league games and have failed to beat Watford FC and Brighton & Hove Albion since the restart.

Per Ancelotti's update, the Blues now have Yerry Mina back fit, while Djibril Sidibe is set to restart training on Friday. Theo Walcott is expected to start training next week, while Fabian Delph remains out.

So, how will the Blues line-up at an empty Goodison?

Tactics and Formation

Anything other than Ancelotti’s typical 4-4-2 would be a big surprise with Everton’s squad absolutely threadbare at the moment.

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Jordan Pickford – 10/10

Seamus Coleman – 10/10

Lucas Digne – 8/10

Sure to start unless Ancelotti chooses to rotate the squad and give Baines some minutes ahead of a busy schedule.

Michael Keane – 9/10

Again, unless Carlo chooses to rotate Keane for the fit-again Yerry Mina, last week’s goalscorer will hope to keep another clean sheet.

Mason Holgate - 10/10

Alex Iwobi – 9/10

Would be very surprising if Ancelotti chose to drop Iwobi after his best performance of the year to date.

Bernard – 6/10

Was unspectacular against Norwich and could be replaced by Anthony Gordon, but expect Carlo to stick to a winning formula and put out the same team that start the second half last week.

Andre Gomes – 9/10

Not been great since football resumed, but not many other options for Everton in the middle of the park.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 9/10

The much criticised playmaker was very good after coming off the bench against Norwich and brought a lot more maturity on the ball that Davies did in the first half.

Richarlison – 10/10

Look tired against Norwich, but has had a week to recover and should be fresh again here.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 10/10

Likewise.

Bench

Martin Stekelenburg

Joao Virginia

Leighton Baines

Yerry Mina – Fit Again. Will likely replace the newly-departed Cuco Martina.

Jarrad Branthwaite

Anthony Gordon - If he doesn’t start, can still expect to get a good runout.

Tom Davies – Will surely drop to the bench after a woeful first-half against Norwich City. Real shame after he really looked sharp against Liverpool. Needs to find consistency.

Beni Baningime

Moise Kean

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Aside for Sigurdsson coming in for Davies, it would be surprising if Carlo Ancelotti opts to make any changes for the trip to Leicester.