- Leicester City welcome Everton to the East Midlands on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off)
- Liverpool Echo reporter Joe Thomas has provided the Toffees' perspective on the Premier League clash
- Sean Dyche's men are currently bottom of the table and yet to pick up a point in the top flight
The Toffees visit King Power Stadium on Saturday to tackle a Leicester City side who are also searching for a first league win in 2024/25, but Sean Dyche's visitors are one of just two sides yet to register a single point.
It's been a frustrating start to the season for the Merseyside outfit, who have suffered injuries in key areas, while leads have proven difficult to hold on to. In their last two top flight outings, they have led by two goals, only to suffer defeat.
"They’ve been a little unfortunate," Thomas said earlier this week. "There is fragility in the side that’s largely been caused by a difficult injury picture. That has been exposed particularly by Brighton, Villa and Spurs – three sides that are probably strongest in areas where Everton, through injuries, are weakest at the minute.
"In some respects, the start has been a bit of a perfect storm. Against Bournemouth, they actually produced one of the best performances of Dyche’s 20 months so far, for the first 87 minutes of that game.
"Unfortunately events conspired against them in the final nine minutes. This side is better than the points and results that so far would suggest. It is vulnerable in certain areas, which is why Leicester can have some hope going into the game and why this is no forgone conclusion."
Jarrad Branthwaite's absence in defence has been a particular setback for Everton, creative a lack of stability at the back. Chance creation at the other end, mind you, hasn't been as much of a problem.
"It’s still too early for [Branthwaite] because he’s not played any football, not even for the Under-21s yet," Thomas added. "He basically hasn’t kicked a ball. His return would probably solve a good chunk of the issues for Everton.
"There’s been a fragility with defending set-pieces. He is a significant component of the defence and also his pace at the back and his relationship with James Tarkowski both afford Everton a degree of protection that’s been lacking in the opening games of this season. Everton’s problems are wider than that.
"They’ve had real issues at full-back, where they’ve had serious misfortune with injuries that will continue into this game. Whereas there have been positives, Everton have created good chances in some of the games they’ve played, they’ve not always had the ruthlessness to finish them.
"When you’re a side that's in the form Everton are, if you’re not taking your chances, then you’re really leaving yourself as a hostage to fortune. There’s a multitude of problems that probably don’t need a multitude of answers.
"If one part was fixed, it may have a knock-on effect elsewhere. If Everton started becoming more ruthless, it would reduce the pressure on the defence – and likewise, if the defence became a little more solid, it would reduce the pressure on the strikers to score every chance. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has started the season well, he has two goals.
"Iliman Ndiaye has been the most exciting new signing this summer and looks a genuine threat in the Premier League. He’s adapted well so far. It’s just trying to find the right ways to support him and utilise him.
"Everton are creating chances, they are scoring goals, the issue is more so at the back, and probably with confidence at the minute as well. As you’ve seen in the last few games, there is a sense that, if they concede one goal, more might follow.
"It’s a side that hasn’t had the best of luck – whether that be on the pitch, or through decisions and with injuries as well. They’re just waiting for a moment for things to turn."