Everton are ticking along nicely in the Premier League right now and, thanks to an impressive 3-0 victory over Southampton this week, Ronald Koeman’s side continue to push for the top-six in the table.

But matters well and truly turn to cup action this weekend and for the Toffees, they face a Leicester City side that just haven’t got going in the league this season.

Much to the delight of the Everton supporters, there’s much more of a chance of getting a result against the league winners this time around and it’s good to see a little optimism coming from the Toffees side of the bar for a change!

The FA Cup seems to be a big deal for the contingent of Everton supporters in the Transfer Tavern this year and we think a strong team will have the best chance of dispatching Claudio Ranieri’s under-performing Foxes.

So with that in mind, here’s our landlord’s Everton XI that he thinks will defeat Leicester City in the FA Cup…

GK: Joel Robles

It’s been a bit of a battle for the starting place between the sticks by Joel Robles and Marten Stekelenburg this campaign but our landlord would like to see the former given the chance this weekend.

He’s a good shot-stopper and he’ll have to be on top form to keep out the likes of Jamie Vardy.

RB: Seamus Coleman

Irish international Seamus Coleman isn’t having his strongest season at Goodison Park but as always, he’s a good attacking option on the right-hand side and he has bags of experience.

The punters in the Transfer Tavern appear to be a big fan of the pacy defender and he’s staying in our XI for the game against the Foxes.

CB: Mason Holgate

Young central defender Mason Holgate was a part of the Everton side that competed in the EFL Cup earlier this season and he impressed, despite the Toffees being knocked out by Norwich in the third round.

He’s got a lot to learn in his career still but with the likes of Ashley Williams in the first-team, there is no better place to learn than at Goodison Park.

CB: Ramiro Funes Mori

Former River Plate man Funes Mori has been a fairly big part of this Everton side since signing for the club a couple of seasons ago and despite being somewhat of a utility man, he’s proved to be a useful addition.

He’s got a decent yard of pace about him and he’s the sort of player the Everton punters in the pub like. A hard-worker and someone that’s prepared to bide his time for first-team action.

LB: Leighton Baines

Having seniority in the team for the game against Leicester City is a very good idea indeed, especially as both managers will be keen to have a good run in this competition.

Baines is as experienced as they come in the Premier League and his delivery and general play from left-back has helped Everton for years.

CDM: Tom Cleverley

England international Tom Cleverley has really struggled for game-time this season and our landlord reckons he could be on the way before too long.

But, despite his first-team struggles, he remains a quality player and the ideal man Koeman can call on when things get a little busy at this time of year.

CDM: Idrissa Gueye

Even playing with a second-string squad, Leicester City will have some quality on the pitch come the weekend and the perfect man to break up that play is Idrissa Gueye, who has been a fantastic signing for the team.

The former Aston Villa man has proved to be a real midfield enforcer and arguably one of the best players to join the club this summer.

RAM: Kevin Mirallas

Belgian winger Kevin Mirallas has been a big part of this Everton side for years and he’d be the ideal man to take to the flank to cause the Leicester City defence problems this weekend.

He’s got bags of experience and seems to be very popular amongst the Everton locals by the bar here too.

CAM: Ross Barkley

Toffees play-maker Ross Barkley has been in-and-out of the first-team this season and it’s been one of his worst campaigns so far.

He’s got arguably more talent than most in this team but for some reason, things really haven’t come together for the Englishman and something needs to change if he’s to force his way back into the national squad too.

A good performance against Leicester might be a start.

LAM: Aaron Lennon

Former Spurs man Aaron Lennon has found a little more success in the first-team in recent weeks and looks to be a bigger part of Ronald Koeman’s plans going forward.

He’s got plenty of experience and is a seriously pacy customer out on the flank. Leicester’s defenders will have to be on their toes when they come up against the once England international.

ST: Enner Valencia

Enner Valencia enjoyed a seriously good afternoon during Everton’s 3-0 win over Southampton on Monday and he more than deserves a start in the cup against the Foxes.

He came on with just half an hour to play and scored as well as having a hand in all three goals as the side secured a 3-0 victory. He got serious praise from the Everton punters here by the bar and they want to see him play again.

Agree, Everton fans? Let us know below!