Drawing Leicester in the third round of the FA Cup is a potentially unsettling fixture for Everton, but it could also turn out favorably for the Toffees.
It’s one of only three other Premier League side matchups in the third round. The Toffees should feel quite hard done by after seeing most of the other third round ties.
But, depending on how the next month transpires, it could also be a favorable tie and turn out exactly the way Everton desires.
Leicester prioritising cup competitions
While Leicester have endured a terrible run in the Premier League, they are equipped with the speed, talent and discipline to potentially perform well in a cup competition. Just look at their early run in the Champions League.
Claudio Ranieri is prioritising that competition and the results prove it.
The Foxes, with 13 points from a possible 15, are running away with Group F and are assured of a place in the competition’s knockout stage.
Leicester have no hope of repeating their miraculous Premier League run from last year and will focus most of their attention the Champions League. If their Premier League situation improves, they’ll turn their attention to the FA Cup.
Then again, this circumstance will change if the Foxes don’t start winning in the league soon, as they’ll be dragged into a desperately unwanted relegation dogfight.
Playing for 90
If the Foxes continue their poor Premier League form, Ranieri will have no other choice but to focus most of his efforts on securing top flight football for another season. The Foxes will be more desperate than most to stay in England’s top flight.
Which means they may have to sacrifice the FA Cup to concentrate on the Champions and Premier League.
They don’t have a deep enough squad to play on all three fronts. Ranieri could be forced to play a weakened team against Everton in the FA Cup if results don’t go their way in the lead up to Christmas.
However, Leicester have already booked a ticket into the round of 16 in the Champions League and don’t have to worry about that competition until February. So, in actuality, the Foxes could start a full strength lineup for the January 7 FA Cup match.
Everton are hoping Leicester’s Premier League decline continues through December, so Ranieri has no choice but to start a somewhat depleted team in the FA Cup tie.
Everton’s FA Cup ambitions heightened
Ronald Koeman will definitely want to bring some silverware to Merseyside and the FA Cup presents the best opportunity to do so this season. Everton’s inconsistent last two months will further motivate Koeman to push the Toffees for a deep cup run.
It won’t matter to Koeman which team Ranieri starts against Everton. Koeman will feel confident that his team has what it takes to win no matter what Foxes side takes to the pitch.
Without few other distractions, Koeman will almost certainly play a strong team against Leicester. The match comes at the end of a busy schedule, but that shouldn’t hinder Everton’s FA Cup ambitions.
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With the Premier League not going exactly according to plan after 14 games, look for Everton to step up to the challenge and make a deep run in the FA Cup.
Hopefully, the Toffees can perform the way their capable of and bring their first FA Cup back to Goodison since 1995.