Everton host Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup.
Everton and Leicester City meet this weekend in one of just four all Premier League ties in the third round of the FA Cup. But while the competition represents both teams’ best chance of silverware this season, it would appear that the contest will be a lot more important to one team than the other.
That, anyway, is the view of HITC Sport’s Michael Ramsey and James Rutherford, who are expecting the Foxes to struggle to avert their attention away from their current position in the league.
“It would be another millstone around their neck as they try to stay up,” HITC Sport’s Michael suggested when talking about Leicester potentially progressing.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri
On the other hand, the guys believe that Everton will have little problem giving the competition their full attention given their solid, if somewhat unspectacular, position in the table.
“Everton need the FA Cup,” James explained.
“A team like Everton aren’t going to break the top six. Everton want to finish best of the rest effectively.
“Everton have got to go for it.”
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Though Ronald Koeman’s side are currently seventh in the table, keeping their cup dream alive could be a smart move as it may prove to be their only avenue into Europe come the end of the campaign.
And of all the top flight sides they could have drawn, Leicester may be the perfect opponents as, like last season, their league position will be their main concern.
Last year, the cup was probably just as low on their priority list as they chased the title, and Everton may be able to capitalise this time around.
Interestingly, James and Michael could not agree on how the tie would go. But to find out their thoughts in full and their score predictions, simply watch the preview at the top of the page…
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