The Premier League’s return is around the corner, and Everton are gearing up for a Monday Night Football showdown against Leeds United.
David Moyes has a tricky start to the 2025/26 season as an away day at Elland Road awaits the Toffees.
The hope is that the new season starts Everton’s rejuvenated era with a bang against Daniel Farke’s newly promoted side, as there is already increased rivalry with the game after CEO Angus Kinnear jumped ship from the West Yorkshire outfit.
Adding to this, there is debate over Jack Harrison’s future at Leeds as Harrison could still return to Everton, with the winger set to have a decisive few weeks.
But the more important matter is how Moyes has shaped up against Farke before, and after only a single encounter, the game might only swing one way.
David Moyes prior to Everton against Roma.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
David Moyes beat Daniel Farke 4-0 ahead of Leeds United vs Everton
It’s set to be a game not only between two rivals off the pitch, but it’s also likely that both Leeds and the Toffees will be in similar situations this year.
Of course, Moyes will want to stay far from the relegation zone, as the Toffees must start improving their league positions.
2024/25 13th
2023/24 15th
2022/23 17th
2021/22 16th
Everton’s last four Premier League finishes
Luckily, the Merseyside club already have an advantage with new Leeds signing Jaka Bijol suspended, and the Everton boss has already one-upped Farke.
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Moyes’s West Ham beat Farke 4-0 in their only meeting, which came in the 2019/20 season, as the Whites boss’ old club, Norwich City, were relegated due to the result.
It proves that the Scotsman has already outwitted the German, and from that game Moyes has a clear answer.
David Moyes must play 4-2-3-1 for Everton vs Daniel Farke
Although there is a clear difference in the teams that fared against each other in 19/20, Moyes might be able to take a little nugget of information from that game.
During pre-season, Everton have experimented with a 3-4-3, which could hint at a change of set-up this campaign.
However, judging by his previous encounter against Farke, a 4-2-3-1 worked a treat, and no risks should be taken under the lights of Elland Road.
Winning 4-0 is an unlikely occurrence this time around, but if Moyes knows from experience that it works against the former Norwich boss, then there should be no reason to amend a winning formula, especially with a risky three at the back.