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Leicester v Everton preview: Claude Puel takes charge of first Foxes match on Super Sunday

Claude Puel looks on from his seat at the Etihad Stadium

Claude Puel will take charge of Leicester for the first time as they face Everton on Nissan Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3.30pm.

The former Southampton boss became the Foxes' third manager this year when he was appointed on Wednesday to replace Craig Shakespeare.

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Puel led Saints to an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League in his only season in charge, and hopes to continue the work done by Michael Appleton, who won both his games in temporary charge of the Foxes and is now back to being an assistant.

"It's important to keep this good memory from the two last games," said Puel. "The team needs confidence, a little more consistency. For the moment, the most important thing is to stay focused on Everton.

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New Leicester manager Claude Puel is focusing on finishing in the top half of the table, despite his new side having a slow start to the season

"We'll try to find the top half of the table. It's not a dream. It's a reality."

Everton are still on the hunt for a permanent manager after sacking Ronald Koeman in the wake of a 5-2 defeat to Arsenal last Sunday.

Under-23s manager David Unsworth has been placed in temporary charge as the Toffees look to move out of the relegation zone.

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"This is Everton Football Club - it's all about results. We have to get a couple of wins - quickly," said Unsworth. "We will pick a team to win a game with the individuals we have available."

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Watch a preview of Sunday's Premier League fixtures as Brighton host Southampton and Everton travel to Leicester City

Team news

Leicester remain without Matty James and Robert Huth, but otherwise Puel has a fully-fit squad at his disposal.

Everton have no fresh injury concerns. Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie remain sidelined.

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Jamie Redknapp says Claude Puel has a big job ahead of him if he is to succeed at Leicester

Opta stats

Leicester City have lost their last two games against Everton in the Premier League, as many as in the previous 15 combined.

This is Everton's lowest points total (8) after nine games of a Premier League season since 2005-06, when they won four points under David Moyes but finished 11th.

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Graeme Souness believes David Unsworth is the right man to succeed Ronald Koeman as Everton manager on a permanent basis

Jamie Vardy has had a hand in four goals in four previous Premier League games against Everton (two goals, two assists).

Wayne Rooney has scored in each of Everton's last two Premier League games - he hasn't scored in three successive Premier League appearance since January 2016.

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Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth says it's business as usual at Goodison as he prepares for Sunday's Sky Live match at Leicester

Merson's prediction

I nearly fell over when I found out Claude Puel was appointed at Leicester. Not for me.

It's his first game and you usually get a boost but Everton showed a lot of fight under caretaker boss David Unsworth at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

I would give him the job on a permanent basis. If you cut him open, he bleeds Everton blue. That's what the fans want, someone with passion for the club.

Paul predicts: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

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Former Everton defenders Kevin Ratcliffe and Derek Mountfield believe former boss Ronald Koeman had lost the faith of the fans and players

Betting

Leicester are 11/10 to prevail in Claude Puel's first game, with Everton 5/2 to leave the King Power with all three points. It's 12/5 to end all square. Jamie Vardy is a clear 7/2 favourite to score the game's opening goal, with Wayne Rooney rated the likeliest Everton man to break the deadlock at 6/1.

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