Everton welcome Leeds United to Goodison Park in a huge Premier League relegation showdown.
Victory would see Everton climb out of the relegation zone at Leeds’ expense, whilst a win would see Leeds climb to 16th and move four points clear of the drop.
Team News
Everton have no fresh injury concerns to report after their defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in last week’s Merseyside derby.
Nathan Patterson (medial ligament) and James Garner (back) are nearing returns but are unlikely to be risked here.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and Andros Townsend (knee) remain absent.
Leeds could welcome Pascal Struijk back into contention after he missed their defeat against Manchester United last weekend due to concussion.
Liam Cooper and Marc Roca (both unspecified) could return if they pass late fitness tests.
Luis Sinsterra (hamstring), Adam Forshaw (hip), Rodrigo, Sonny Perkins (both ankle), Archie Gray (toe) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Everton host Leeds on Saturday 18 February at Goodison Park in a 3pm GMT kick-off, untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Everton have lost one of their last five Premier League meetings against Leeds (W2, D2, L1).
- Leeds have won just one of their last eight previous Premier League visits to Everton (W1, D4, L3).
- Anthony Gordon has scored in each of Everton’s last two meetings against Leeds but left the Toffees for Newcastle in January 2023.
- Everton have scored first in three of their last four league matches at home (W1, L3).
- Leeds have picked up the first booking in each of their last three league matches away from Elland Road.
Prediction
After having stunned Arsenal a fortnight ago, Everton will be disappointed with their overall performance against Liverpool in which they were clinically defensively outclassed on the counter-attack, yet struggled to offer much up front in terms of creative attacks.
Leeds meanwhile continue to have excellent attacking intensity and creativity yet again lacked the end product in defeat at home to Man Utd, in contrast to a strong away effort at Old Trafford just days earlier so I would like to see them show better composure up front.
Both teams though know that this is a must-win in the fight for survival but without Calvert-Lewin, Everton do seem to lack much spark up front which Leeds simply must take advantage of but breaking down the Toffees’ defence will be key.
A draw therefore feels the most favourable guess but I can see Leeds springing a surprise if they can sort out their end product, because they do have the pace and intensity to cause some issues here.
Prediction: Everton 0-1 Leeds
Result: Everton 1-0 Leeds
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