Newly-promoted Leeds entertain Everton in the concluding fixture of the first matchweek in 2025-26 Premier League season.
Leeds claimed promotion after two seasons back in the second tier, whilst Everton will look to build on their 13th-placed league finish of last season.
Team News
Leeds’ summer signing, Jaka Bijol is suspended due to a carry-over ban from his time in Italy’s Serie A at Udinese.
Jayden Bogle (hip) faces a late fitness check but new signing, Sebastiiaan Bornauw (calf) is ruled out.
Everton will be without defender, Jarrad Branthwaite due to a hamstring injury.
Harrison Armstrong (thigh), Vitaliy Mykolenko (knock) and Nathan Patterson (hernia) are doubts.
When is Kick-Off?
Leeds host Everton at Elland Road on Monday 18 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Leeds have won just one of their last 11 league meetings against Everton (W1, D4, L6).
- Everton have avoided defeat in their last five league visits to Leeds (W2, D3).
- Former Toffee, Anthony Gordon scored in two of Everton’s last three meetings against Leeds.
- Four of Leeds’ nine pre-season goals were scored by Joel Piroe.
- Everton kept no clean sheets during pre-season (W1, D2, L4).
Prediction
Having dominated the Championship to secure their promotion with aggressive pressing possession-based play, Leeds now need to raise their standards because this won’t be as easy given that their transfer business hasn’t exactly been exciting in my opinion.
Daniel Farke’s Premier League record is another worry because he just hasn’t suited England’s top flight so far with six wins in 49 matches with Norwich, which doesn’t make for good reading for Leeds fans but they’re a much stronger team which is one positive.
Everton meanwhile have basically spent this summer bringing in fresh reinforcement to replace outgoings and fill gaps but there is more business to do, particularly in central midfield which looks particularly light from a defensive midfield view.
Nevertheless Everton are still a strong team under David Moyes and Jack Grealish hopefully will bring that extra quality out wide, particularly if can get him and Dwight McNeil clicking on the flanks quickly.
I however do feel like this game could be a point apiece as nothing is making me instinctively feel that there is an obvious winner.
Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Everton
Result: Leeds 1-0 Everton