Everton kick off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign on Monday evening against Leeds United.
Expectations on Merseyside will have increased over the last week or so after some impressive summer signings for Everton.
Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall mark two marquee additions who could potentially drive the Toffees into the European mix.
David Moyes is still pushing for more signings before the window shuts, but it is now time for the Blues to get down to action on the pitch with the players they have.
With the opening game now just hours away, Everton News has provided three predictions for the trip to Yorkshire on Monday.
Everton manager David Moyes.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be Everton’s main man
All the eyes will be on how Grealish performs, but Dewsbury-Hall could well steal the show for the Blues at Elland Road.
On his debut at the weekend, Dewsbury-Hall really impressed Everton fans with his performance against AS Roma.
The interesting point is where will Dewsbury-Hall play following the addition of Grealish.
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Having shone on the weekend in the number 10 spot, it will leave Moyes with an interesting decision to make.
After all, Grealish’s brother expects him to play behind the striker in the number 10 position.
With all eyes on Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall could well be Everton’s top performer in Yorkshire.
Thierno Barry to score on his Everton debut
Having signed earlier in the summer, Thierno Barry is yet to get his name on the scoresheet for the Toffees.
Monday night is going to be different, with Barry impressing in Everton training over recent weeks.
The young Frenchman was handed the start at the weekend ahead of Beto, with Moyes expected to make Barry the starter on Merseyside.
Although he is going to need time to really develop into a top striker, a goal on Monday night at Elland Road would do wonders for his confidence.
Vitaliy Mykolenko to make shock injury return
At the weekend, Vitaliy Mykolenko was withdrawn through injury, and he was immediately replaced by Adam Aznou.
The former Bayern Munich left-back looked like a player who had been thrown in the deep end, as many would expect.
At just 19 years of age, Aznou is going to need some time to really develop into a Premier League regular.
On Friday, Moyes refused to rule out Mykolenko from making the side on Monday night.
A shock return could be on the cards for the Ukraine international.