Leicester City v Everton. 16th August at 15.00.

[Buckers]

Roberto has to play Rom behind Naisy IMO. I'd love to see Kev on the left and Geads opposite him. They can interchange to freak the opposition out. Not convinced though, far more likely to get Osman and Pienaar.

Mind you if its 0-0 with half an hour to go our bench is capable of absolutely bumming them silly. And even without Ross our options are still good but I think it will be more of what we saw last year. Biding our time playing possession and getting a late goal after wearing them down. After 80 mins without the ball they will be ready for killing themselves!

 

[Russian Evertonian]

Will be a tough game because of our poor pre season campaign and of course withot Belgians.

 

[andy4efc]

Hate to be pessimistic but can't see us getting anything today, not with the players we have missing.

 

[when i score we riot]

This one has relegation written all over it, doesn't it? How frustrating.

 

[Christiffa25]

This is where you will see the true strength of our squad. Arsenal, Chelsea, city, even utd will be starting at least today with under-strength teams due to key WC players not being ready.

I predict they will handle it seamlessly, whilst we will struggle.

 

[bluestevon]

Both belgium lads will play as will coleman, bobbies just neing sneaky lads.

Nice previrw cheeks

 

[SLAVEN BILIC]

I still have high hopes for this season but today is gonna make a lot of people fume. Really down after the Barkley news, can't see where we'll get a goal from if rom, Kev and atsu don't play. May need to keep it tight for long parts of the game and hope we do the business off a free kick or pen.

Come on Everton!!

 

[SLAVEN BILIC]

But then again if rom and Kev play the you put Nais in the hole and we'll win 14-1, hibbert og

 

[FOXINPEACE]

So the day is here boys and girls. Be interesting to see what sides we can field, it's a shame we couldn't both line up at full strength.

Hope you have a good day in Leicester barring the result

 

[TomDixie]

Just leaving for Leicester. Were back boys :-D

Naismith with the winner.

 

[Petit]

Howard
Stones Jags Distin Baines
McCarthy Barry
McGeady Osman Peanuts
Naismith

That'll be our starting 11 I'm afraid (with Lukaku, Kev, and Besic off the bench). Martinez tends to be very cautious with bringing injured/not match fit players back. This is going to be a hard fixture. No momentum coming out of pre-season; too many people coming back from injury or not match fit; and the blow of losing Ross. Wouldn't be surprised if we drew. Would be disappointed but not totally surprised.

Is there no chance Gibson could start behind Naismith?

 

[Tree13]

whats the lineup then lads? ossie in for Ross? personally id go with the following, replace coleman with stones if he can't go

Rom
Kev Pienaar Atsu
barry mccarthy
baines distin jags coleman

I'd go with that too. I'm not convinced by all this "Rom and Kev aren't ready" lark.

The other possibility is the 4-3-3 we used to bum Arsenal:

Howard

Coleman Jags Distin Baines

McCarthy Barry Besic

Lukaku Naismith Mirallas​

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Happy opening day of the season lads.

Feel like someone's pissed in my cornflakes though with the news of Ross.

 

[GreenTeddy]

We'll win this 3-0

 

[N.S.N.O.]

Team news isn't great is it?!....Barkley out, Lukaku Coleman Mirallas Atsu all lacking match fitness....

think its a case of keep things tight first half, keep possession, try to tire Leicester out, and then bring on lukaku, Mirallas & atsu second half to win it for us....

Never ideal playing at a promoted club first game, their players & fans will be up for this like its a cup final....