Everton will look to return to winning ways when they host in-form Leicester City at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Toffees came close to bouncing back from a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby last weekend by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s last-gasp penalty meant that the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw.
The result left Ronald Koeman’s side three points behind Arsenal and the Red Devils in fifth and sixth respectively, while they are seven behind Manchester City in the final Champions League spot.
If they are to qualify for Europe, the Dutchman will know that his side need to pick up all three points when they return to their home on Saturday.
They face a tough task to do that against the Foxes though, with Craig Shakespeare guiding the Premier League champions to six successive wins in all competitions following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri in February.
Here are three reasons Everton will end that winning run this weekend…
They need it more
It is getting to that stage of the season where the Toffees know that they need to start picking up results if they are to achieve their European dream, and they certainly need the win more than Leicester right now.
It wouldn’t have been the case five games ago when the Foxes were in real danger of being sucked into the relegation battle, but they are eight points clear of the bottom three now and have almost guaranteed their survival.
That difference in mentality could be key at Goodison Park on Sunday.
They've got Romelu Lukaku
Prior to the trips to Anfield and Old Trafford last week, the Premier League’s top goalscorer was in scintillating form after netting nine goals in his previous six top flight appearances.
Chances were understandably few and far between for the Belgian on the road as Ronald Koeman had to set up more defensively – which may have frustrated the 23-year-old – and he will be hoping to take advantage of getting more opportunities back at Goodison Park this weekend.
Leicester may be distracted
The Foxes face the first-leg of their huge Champions League quarter-final clash against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital on Wednesday, and while the manager and players will deny it, there will certainly be some eyes on one of the biggest games in the club’s history.
Whether Craig Shakespeare chooses to rest some of his key men for the trip to Goodison Park remains to be seen, but they are all factors that addsup to the Toffees having more focus than their opponents on Sunday.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below...