Shakespeare: Victory Over Accolades

- Craig Shakespeare is well aware of the danger Everton pose to Leicester City's six-match winning run

- The Toffees have themselves enjoyed six victories in a row at Goodison Park in the Premier League

- Ronald Koeman's side last suffered defeat at home to the Foxes in the Emirates FA Cup in January

Craig Shakespeare says Leicester City will come up against a strong, well-organised outfit when they line-up alongside on Sunday afternoon (4pm kick-off). 

The Toffees have won their last six matches on home soil in the Premier League and remain in contention to secure a European place. Their last defeat at Goodison Park, however, was an Emirates FA Cup reverse to City back in January but Shakespeare expects a tough afternoon nonetheless. 

“It’s a tough game and their home record at Goodison is very good,” the Foxes boss said. "Ronald [Koeman] has done a tremendous job being in a really competitive Premier League this season. To go to Old Trafford and be a minute away from a really good win shows where they’re at."   

Should City be able to collect another three points on Sunday, they will secure a record seventh consecutive Premier League victory. Shakespeare, though, is focused solely on climbing further up the table with City knowing a win could see them clamber back into the top half of the league standings. 

Shakespeare added: “I think it would mean more to me about getting the three points than the awards. They come with the territory of the games but more importantly it would be about the three points for us as a team. We are in every game to try and win it. 

"If we can’t, we don’t want to lose it, so the idea is to make sure we’re competitive and we know the opposition’s weaknesses as well as our own. I couldn’t have wished for a better start.”   

After the Everton clash, Leicester then have just four days until their UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final first leg at Atlético Madrid - another notable night in the Club's 133-year history. It promises to be a thrilling week for the Blue Army and Shakespeare has not ruled out rotating his squad.

“It’s trying to get the right balance,” he continued. “Myself and the staff will assess the lads who have little niggles that might benefit from a few more days’ of rest. We want to keep the momentum going. 

“I understand the challenge ahead and so do the players and I‘ll make sure I’ll make my judgement based on watching them in training, while also trying to pick a competitive team if I need to.”