Everton open their 2025/26 Premier League campaign on Monday evening with a trip to Leeds United.
A familiar face could be waiting for Everton, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected to join Leeds over the coming days.
The Whites will need to get a deal over the line by Friday for him to feature, but there will certainly be some new faces on display for Everton.
All eyes will be on Jack Grealish following his move to Merseyside being sealed earlier this week.
Sam Allardyce expects Grealish to shine at Everton, and he will be looking to make a bright start at Elland Road.
Moyes did not see Everton win a single game during the pre-season. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has now shared his prediction for the game on Monday evening.
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Paul Merson shares Leeds United vs Everton prediction
After hearing of his signing, Merson expects Grealish to flourish at Everton under the management of Moyes.
Fans will be hoping to see the 29-year-old in action against the newly-promoted outfit.
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Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted Everton to narrowly win with a 1-0 victory on the road in Yorkshire.
‘Everton have made a great signing in Jack Grealish. He will play with more freedom at Everton and that could bring the best out of him,’ said Merson.
‘Leeds will be looking at this fixture as a must-win game though. Points are going to be in shortage for teams that have come up this season and like I said before, the opening game is a big leveller for them.
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‘If Leeds are unable to win on home turf this weekend, you can only help but wonder how they are going to get points week in, week out! It’s going to be a hard game because Everton are a decent team.
‘David Moyes will set them up pretty well for this fixture too. In the end, I believe Everton will have too much for Leeds. This is the gulf in class you are up against in the Premier League if you’re a newly-promoted team!’
Everton will be sweating over Vitaliy Mykolenko’s injury latest, with the Ukraine international being withdrawn at the weekend early in the game.
The focus will, however, be on Everton’s attacking options, and Grealish will surely be at the centre of Moyes’ plans.
How Everton could line up against Leeds
Some decisions are going to be forced on Moyes over the weekend, with a number of injury issues already at Finch Farm.
Jarrad Branthwaite will miss the start of the season through injury after picking up a hamstring issue in training.
Naturally, this is a huge blow, but Everton will likely replace him with the experienced Michael Keane, whilst Jake O’Brien plays at right-back.
The big question is, what position does Grealish play? Grealish’s brother expects him to play at number 10.
Time will tell, but fans will be excited to see how Moyes puts out his opening XI of the season.
Predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Aznou; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.