Leeds vs Everton
Back both teams to get on the scoresheet in West Yorkshire
Leeds’ Premier League campaign will begin on Monday night in front of the TV cameras as Everton visit Elland Road. The Whites finally made it back to the top flight, edging out Burnley for the Championship title, and although summer recruitment has been ponderous, many fans are confident that their side has a realistic chance of survival this season.
Of the summer signings, Jaka Bijol is suspended and cannot feature in the opener, whereas Dominic Calvert-Lewin may not be deployed against his former employers. Sean Longstaff, Lucas Perri, Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson all have a good chance of starting this game.
Although the squad still needs a little more TLC, some fans have questioned the ability of the manager, with Daniel Farke possessing a disappointing record in the top flight during his previous spell at Norwich.
Nevertheless, there will be a fantastic atmosphere under the lights at Elland Road, and that should give the hosts plenty of impetus. Furthermore, during their latest spell in the PL, the hosts netted against every single team in the bottom half at this venue, including Everton (1-1).
Everton have made some eye-catching additions this summer with Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arriving in Merseyside. Thierno Barry is also likely to play some part in this fixture. The bad news for the Toffees is the absence of Jarrad Brainthwaite, who has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss the start of the campaign. With Michael Keane taking his place, the visitors are far less likely to keep a clean sheet.
They had a decent record on the road last season and are likely to find a way through on Monday night. They will want to start the season with a victory ahead of their opener against Brighton at their brand new stadium next weekend.
Jack’s football journey began in the early 2000s at Bloomfield Road, sparking a lifelong passion for the EFL and beyond. With over a decade of writing and tipping experience, he delivers sharp insights and value-driven betting advice across football, darts, tennis, and horse racing.
When he’s not analysing stats, Jack is on commentary duty for Stoke City and occasionally heard at Owlerton Greyhound Stadium. Based in Leeds, he’s as reliable with a brew as he is with a bet.