We speak to Leeds Live reporter Isaac Johnson to get the lowdown on Leeds United ahead of Monday night's Premier League clash with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Fulham at Elland Road on January 17, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Fulham at Elland Road on January 17, 2026(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Leeds United come to town on Monday night as Everton seek a much-needed victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After defeats to Arsenal and Brentford and the frustrating draw against Wolves, the Blues will hope to return to winning ways on home soil and aid their push for Europe with three valuable points at home to newly-promoted side Leeds.
David Moyes, whose team produced a superb performance to win 1-0 at Aston Villa last time out, will also be desperate for a turnaround following the 1-0 defeat at Elland Road in the first game of the Premier League season.
Leeds sit 16th, five points above the relegation zone, with confidence of a positive end to their first season back in the Premier League after relegation in 2023.
The ECHO spoke to Leeds Live reporter Isaac Johnson to get the Whites view ahead of Monday night's clash.
What have you made of the season so far? Are you confident of Leeds staying up now?
Everything changed at half-time against Manchester City on November 29. Daniel Farke, seemingly on the brink of losing his job, switched from 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 system and Leeds came back from two goals down to go 2-2 before losing to a last-gasp Phil Foden effort.
Ever since that point, they have lost only once and have beaten Chelsea, drawn twice with Liverpool and tied with Manchester United. Belief is high yet internally there is no sense of being overconfident.
Being eight points clear of the drop zone heading towards the end of January (West Ham United's 3-1 home win over Sunderland means the gap is now five points), when this time two months ago the ship was teetering, is quite frankly an unbelievable turnaround that few saw. They are only 13 points off their aim of 38.
At the same time, things can change quickly and 16 games is still a long way to go. As Farke says, ending the season with 25 points will not be enough.
Who have been the key players for Leeds this season?
Sorry to say Everton fans, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the pick of the bunch. He is flying, and not just in terms of goals.
His hold-up play, winning of duels and intelligence has come to the fore with Farke playing to his strengths. He sat as the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League heading into the weekend.
The other vital player is Ethan Ampadu. Not only is he the quarter-back for Leeds in terms of on-field play - and his long throws - but in terms of his leadership too. Leeds do not look like the same team when he is not available.
Honourable mentions for centre-back Joe Rodon and left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson - a doubt for Monday - who have been stalwarts in defence and influential going the other way.
It looks like Everton's loss has been Leeds' gain. How important is Calvert-Lewin now and do you think he makes Tuchel's World Cup squad?
As mentioned above, he is crucial to how Leeds play. Much like Ampadu, without him Leeds would not look the same.
Farke and team-mates have also spoken about his off-field impact too, his encouragement and spurring on of colleagues. He's growing into a key leadership role inside the dressing room.
As for the World Cup, all he can do is make himself impossible to ignore. There is a long way to go until the summer and Calvert-Lewin must do something he’s not been known for in previous seasons - staying fit and scoring consistently.
Right now he's on a good path but I worry that England do not exactly play to his strengths. He is a poacher, which is handy to have at tournaments, but he thrives best with a strike partner and Thomas Tuchel has yet to field a front two during his tenure. Tuchel is a friend of Farke's though…
Have you been happy with the other new signings? Any areas you would like to see strengthened before the end of the window?
Gudmundsson has been immense and if he does not overcome his adductor problem in time, his loss will be felt. The summer signing abounds with football intelligence and forward productivity.
I've got a feeling, if he carries on his form, a few big-hitters might come sniffing around before too long. Midfielder Anton Stach is knocking on the Germany selection door and countryman striker Lukas Nmecha has managed to score some crucial goals.
On the flip side, new goalkeeper Lucas Perri has been dropped for veteran Karl Darlow, which is a worry in regards to long-term planning, though the Welshman is amply capable at this level.
The main position on the January transfer radar is getting another striker - amid interest in Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen - while cover for Gudmundsson is also a consideration. But signings will only come in if they have the right character and are affordable given Leeds have maxed out PSR limits.
How are Leeds fans feeling ahead of this game having won the reverse fixture at Elland Road? What do you make of Everton?
Optimistic. Leeds have not won away from home in the Premier League since September, yet the three straight road-trip draws at Brentford, Sunderland and Liverpool that preceded a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United has given Leeds evidence that they'll be fine.
The absence of Jack Grealish and Michael Keane will buoy hopes, and Everton winning just four of their 11 home games so far suggests there might be an opportunity for three points. But they'll take a draw any day of the week.
How do you think Farke will approach the game?
He will start with a 3-5-2 but in possession this changes to a 3-4-3, with one striker going wide and a midfielder coming onto the right with Calvert-Lewin left in the centre.
This system might well change if Leeds smell a win or at least a result. Comebacks against Liverpool and Brentford came as a result of going 4-3-3 again in-game and the unpredictably of when Farke enacts this is both a frustration to fans but also conversely to opposition managers.
He tends to leave it on the late side, but not always. Expect Leeds to come to play, with high wing-backs and long balls for Calvert-Lewin to knock down. It's a bit of a hybrid between an old school throwback and modern ingenuity.
Where do you think the key battles will take place?
If Calvert-Lewin can win most of his duels then Everton could have a rough ride, so definitely between Calvert-Lewin and the defence but probably in midfield too.
Ampadu has the ability to boss the centre of the park as the pivot both in tackling and his spraying of balls and covering. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Stach's forward runs could be a nuisance as well.
What's your score prediction?
If I was optimistic, I want to say 2-1 to Leeds… but I've got to heed a bit of realism given Leeds have only won one league away game all season.
Everton have scored in each of the last five matches and the win at Aston Villa has got to count as something in regards to momentum. I'll go 2-2.