Expect goals at Goodison as Everton clash with Foxes on New Year's Day

Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event, 12.30pm Tuesday

Only a point separates Everton and Leicester in the standings and backing an explosive goalfest could be the way to go in the first Premier League match of 2019.

Leicester boss Claude Puel relieved the pressure on him with wins over Man City and Chelsea before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at home to Cardiff, while Everton lost to Tottenham and Brighton either side of a 5-1 mauling of Burnley.

Such fluctuating form makes both sides difficult to pin down but this is typically a high-scoring fixture and backing both teams to notch in a game featuring at least three goals looks a value bet.

• Premier League standings

A wager on over 2.5 goals has landed in eight of the last ten meetings including in the reverse fixture in October, which Marco Silva’s men edged 2-1 after Wes Morgan was sent off for Leicester.

The Toffees have home advantage this time around but have been vulnerable in defence, conceding in each of their last seven league encounters, as they continue to alternate between three and four at the back.

Against Burnley and Brighton we saw the best and worst of their 3-4-3 system.

With wing-backs Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne pushing forward to overload the box as part of a front five, they put Sean Dyche’s men to the sword.

At the Amex against Brighton though, this left them exposed at the back and despite edging the shot count 13-11, they lost 1-0.

The Foxes have defensive issues of their own.

The defeat to Cardiff made it one clean sheet in seven matches in all competitions for the visitors, who were sunk by a long-range Victor Camarasa strike despite dominating with 16 shots and 63 per cent possession.

In the final third, though, these are two of the most enterprising outfits in the division.

Brazilian Richarlison has nine goals and one assist in the league this term and registered the opener against Leicester earlier this season.

Everton appeared to lack a creative outlet to unlock the door against Brighton with Gylfi Sigurdsson coming off the bench with 25 minutes to go but the Icelandic star looks set to start this game.

He scored one and set up another against Burnley and is developing a telepathic understanding with Bernard, who laid on two assists in the same game.

James Maddison has been Leicester's livewire in recent outings and the former Norwich man, who has five league goals this term, could be a good bet to score first.

Recommendations
Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
2pts 11-8 Sky Bet
J Maddison to score first
1pt 9-1 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power

Team news
Everton
Top scorer Richarlison should have recovered from a knock sustained against Brighton and Ademola Lookman will be assessed.

Leicester
Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan (both illness) are being monitored while Hamza Choudhury should come back into the squad.

Key stat
There have been 14 goals in the last four league meetings between these two teams.

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