The Matchday 1 Premier League clash between Leeds and Everton will take place on August 18 at Elland Road. Leeds vs. Everton: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Leeds
Daniel Farke returns to the Premier League, this time with Leeds, who have been absent from England's top division for two years. This coach previously led Norwich to promotion. Last season, the team won the Championship, earning 100 points, the same as Burnley. Notably, Leeds was the highest-scoring club in the second-tier English league, netting 95 goals. The team secured an early Premier League spot thanks to a six-match winning streak at the end of the season. During preseason, Leeds played three friendlies, drawing all of them.
In the summer, the club strengthened its squad with defenders Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol, goalkeeper Lucas Perry, forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and midfielders Sean Longstaff and Anton Shakh.
- The club has not won in their last 9 Premier League matches (2 draws and 7 losses).
- Both teams scored in Leeds' last 13 Premier League games.
- At least 3 goals were scored in 6 of Leeds' last 7 home matches in the Premier League.
Predicted lineup for Leeds (4-3-3)
Lucas Perry – Isaac Schmidt, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson – Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Shakh – Degnand Gnonto, Joel Piroe, Daniel James.
Defender Jaka Bijol is suspended for this game.
Everton
David Moyes' side finished last season in 13th place, marking the club's best performance in the last four seasons. Notably, the Liverpool-based team conceded only 44 goals, their best defensive record in the last eight years (only three teams conceded fewer in the previous Premier League season). Everton secured their Premier League spot early by losing only three times in their last 18 matches (8 wins and 7 draws). During the summer, the club played six friendlies, failing to win any (2 draws and 4 losses).
During the offseason, forwards Neal Maupay and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré, and defender Mason Holgate left the team. New additions include forwards Thierno Barry and Jack Grealish, midfielders Carlos Alcaraz and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and defender Adam Aznou.
- Everton's unbeaten streak in the league stands at 4 matches (3 wins and 1 draw).
- No more than two goals were scored in 10 of Everton's last 12 Premier League games.
- The club has not conceded more than 1 goal in their last 12 away matches in the Premier League.
Predicted lineup for Everton (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford – Vitaliy Mykolenko, James Tarkowski, Jake O'Brien, Jarrad Branthwaite – Idrissa Gueye, James Garner – Carlos Alcaraz, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye – Thierno Barry.
Referee
Chris Kavanagh (England)
Matches – 25 (Premier League, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 112;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 12%.
Leeds vs. Everton: Match Prediction
The home side spent the last two seasons in the Championship, where they had excellent results, but achieving the same level of success in the Premier League will be much harder. Remember, Leeds was relegated from the Premier League with a 9-match winless streak, and at their home ground, they have only won 3 of their last 17 top-flight matches (7 draws and 7 losses).
Everton has improved significantly since David Moyes took the helm. If not for their poor first half of the season, the club could have challenged for a European spot. The team has become even stronger defensively, conceding more than one goal only twice in their last 12 Premier League games. In their last 18 Premier League matches, Everton has only lost to Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea. I believe the visitors will maintain their form and avoid defeat against the newly promoted side.
My prediction – Everton with a handicap (0)
