Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that he expects Everton to end a wretched week with a weekend defeat to Leicester City.
The high-profile pundit predicted a tricky trip to the King Power Stadium for the Merseysiders after being impressed by the Foxes’ “walk in the park” triumph against Newcastle United last weekend.
Merson explained why the focus will be on Everton after their Tuesday night cup elimination at the hands of Southampton.
“This is a really big game for Everton after what happened in midweek in the Carabao Cup,” Merson told the Sky Sports website. “There will be a lot of pressure on Everton to get a result at the King Power Stadium but I am siding with Leicester.
“I watched Leicester the other week against Newcastle and it was like a walk in the park for them. They were very comfortable. They’ve also gone back-to-back at home so I think this will be a very difficult afternoon for Marco Silva and his side.”
OPINION
Everton would be playing Leicester in the League Cup fourth round had they overcome the Saints at Goodison Park in midweek. Their failure to do so puts the pressure on Silva, who elected to omit a number of key first teamers on Tuesday, including Richarlison, Theo Walcott, Jordan Pickford and Gylfi Sigurdsson. It is certain that quartet will start at the King Power, as they offer Everton’s best hope of adding to the 3-0 win from last Saturday against Fulham. In truth, it has been a mixed start to Silva’s reign. Certainly, the football has been more progressive and exciting than it was under Sam Allardyce – not saying much – but there is much to be done to improve a side that struggle to churn out results against top-10 sides. Leicester are certainly in that bracket and are three points ahead of Everton going into Saturday’s 3pm kick-off.