The Premier League has finally returned and Leeds United will be looking to kick off their 2025-26 campaign against a strengthened Everton side.
Leeds United finished the 2024-25 campaign as champions of the EFL Championship earning themselves promotion to the Premier League. Daniel Farke's side finished the season on an impressive 100 points, winning all 6 matches of their final which ultimately brought the EFL Championship trophy back to Elland Road.
Standing across from Leeds are a defensively resilient Everton side, who are an established Premier League outfit and under David Moyes have only got stronger defensively.
The last 5 meetings between the two sides have only favoured The Toffees, with Leeds United failing to win any of the 5 previous meetings, a run that Farke and the players will look to end on Monday night at Elland Road.
After a successful campaign winning the EFL Championship, it felt more questions were raised around Daniel Farke's ability to manage a Premier League side, rather than congratulating the German on his achievement.
Daniel Farke has managed a Premier League side twice in his managerial career and failed to impress either time. His first Premier League season with Norwich City came in the 2019-20 season where his Norwich side finished the season rock bottom and only managed to achieve 21 points.
The Canaries achieved promotion back to the Premier League after winning the EFL Championship in the 2020-21 season. Daniel Farke had another miserable campaign with Norwich where his side suffered 15 consecutive losses which ultimately led to the German being sacked.
Despite winning the Championship last season, there was talk in the media that Leeds United were willing to dismiss Farke and hire a manager with a proven Premier League record. After consideration, Farke was kept and will be given a chance to prove himself to not only the board but also the fans. With a tough away game at the Emirates awaits for Farke and Leeds, the German will want to make sure that his side start the campaign off with a win.
Daniel Farke | TNT Sports
New Signings The Key To Success
Leeds have reinforced every area of the pitch this summer, with Daniel Farke bringing in experienced players from across Europe’s top leagues - signings expected to make an immediate impact.
From Ligue 1, goalkeeper Lucas Perri arrives after keeping 10 clean sheets in 33 appearances for Lyon last season, while Gabriel Gudmundsson joins from Lille, having featured in 30 league matches. In midfield, Anton Stach - a summer recruit from Hoffenheim - has already impressed in pre-season, scoring the equaliser in a draw against AC Milan. All three are tipped to start against Everton on Monday night, bringing valuable top-flight pedigree.
Leeds have also bolstered their depth with Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, two former Serie A defenders, as well as ex-Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, former Wolfsburg attacker Lukas Nmecha and potentially the addition of former Everton striker Dominic Calvert Lewin. While they aren't expected to start the opener, their presence adds strength in depth for the demanding season ahead.
Possession Based Football or a Tactical switch-up?
Under Daniel Farke, Leeds have become a side intent on dominating possession. Yet history shows that few newly promoted sides thrive with this approach; many instead succeed by sitting deep and striking on the counter.
Last season, Leeds averaged 2.1 goals per game - the highest in the Championship - while also topping the possession charts at 61.6%.
Farke’s squad also has the tools for a rapid counter game when needed. Wingers Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto bring blistering pace, while a midfield trio of Stach, Ethan Ampadu, and Ao Tanaka could form a compact shield in front of the back four.
With Elland Road bouncing on their Premier League return, expect Leeds to start aggressively. But with the blend of returning talent and smart new signings, Farke’s side should have the flexibility to shift style when the situation demands it.