Romelu Lukaku will be looking to score for the eighth game in a row when Everton welcome Premier League leaders Leicester to Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Belgium international is enjoying his best-ever start to a season and is the second highest goalscorer in the top flight behind Jamie Vardy.

However, despite Lukaku's fine form, the Toffees have only won two of their last six league matches and let a half-time lead slip to draw 1-1 at Norwich last weekend.

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The Foxes continued their remarkable season with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Monday Night Football and have only lost once in 16 matches.

While they are still fourth favourites for the title, Everton boss Roberto Martinez thinks they are genuine contenders.

Team news

James McCarthy remains a major doubt for Everton after missing the last three matches with a hip problem.

A late decision will be made about whether the midfielder can be included, while defender John Stones suffered no ill-effects from the knocks to his ankle and knee he picked up before and during the draw at Norwich.

Captain Phil Jagielka and midfielder Steven Pienaar could return during the Christmas period.

Leicester will be without Jeffrey Schlupp after he was ruled out for around six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Danny Drinkwater will also miss out after limping off against Chelsea and defender Robert Huth is suspended.

Opta stats

Leicester have won only one of their 18 Premier League meetings with Everton (W1 D13 L4) and none of the last 11 (D9 L2).

Of all fixtures that have been played at least five times in the Premier League, Everton versus Leicester has the highest percentage of draws (72 per cent).

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If Leicester win, they'll be top of the league on Christmas Day. Five of the last six teams to have been leading the league at Christmas have gone on to win the title, with the exception in this period being Liverpool in the 2013-14 season.

The Foxes are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League away games, winning seven in that run; their previous best unbeaten run in the Premier League on the road was four matches.

Since Lukaku's league debut for Everton in September 2013 he has scored 37 goals, only Sergio Aguero (49) has more.

Riyad Mahrez has been involved in 18 goals in the Premier League this season (11 goals, 7 assists); more than any other player. Jamie Vardy is next with 17 (15 goals, 2 assists).

Paul Merson's prediction

Paul Merson's predictions

The Magic Man gives his predictions for all 10 Premier League matches this weekend

Everton will be thinking, "why aren't we where Leicester are?" They dominate games, they dominated the first-half against Norwich and should have been 5-0 up.

But I'm going to go with them to stop Leicester's run here. I think Drinkwater will be missed far more than he was on Monday night against Chelsea.

It might be a game too far for Leicester. Lukaku is on fine form, scoring in seven games on the trot, and could even go on and beat Vardy's record.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

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Betting

Everton are evens with Sky Bet to topple Leicester (13/5) with the draw available at 5/2. The Foxes continue to defy the odds and are now 15/8 to secure a top-four finish but face a Toffees side unbeaten in six matches.

The sides drew 2-2 when they last met at Goodison earlier this year and a repeat of that outcome is 11/1 while a draw with both teams scoring is 3/1.

Lukaku is 11/10 to net for a seventh consecutive match and 4/1 to break the deadlock, while Vardy and Riyad Mahrez can be backed at 13/8 and 2/1 respectively to net anytime for the visitors. Soccer Saturday pundit Phil Thompson is tipping Vardy and Lukaku both to score at 11/2.