Everton Leeds United David Moyes
(credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Sun 17 August 2025 9:10, UK
Everton are preparing to begin their season with a trip to face Leeds United on Monday night.
David Moyes is set to open the Toffees’ Premier League campaign away to the newly promoted side on 18 August.
After a patchy pre-season on L4, culminating in Everton’s defeat against Roma in front of a sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium, there will be hope of a positive opening performance in Yorkshire.
This will be far from easy for Everton against last season’s Championship title winners, especially as Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks to have his say for Leeds.
David Moyes being interviewed
Everton boss David Moyes will be keen to start the season well against Leeds United (Credit: Imago)
Form guide (pre-season)
Leeds United: DDD
Everton: LDLLL
Team news
There is no shortage of frustration before the campaign has even begun, after Everton confirmed that Jarrad Branthwaite had sustained a hamstring injury.
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The Englishman was temporarily joined by Vitalii Mykolenko in the injury room, but it now appears as if the left-back may be fit to feature in some capacity at Elland Road.
Besides these concerns, it appears that Moyes has a full squad to pick from, including exciting new signings like Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Similarly, Leeds are set to be without two defenders through injury as Jayden Bogle and Sebastiaan Bornauw are struggling with a hip and calf issue, respectively.
Daniel Farke will also be without new signing Jaka Bijol to open the campaign, with the Slovenia international suspended after being sent off on the final day of last season with Udinese.
Predicted lineups
Leeds United: Perri, Byram, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Aznou, Garner, Gueye, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Beto
Everton predicted XI v Leeds United
Everton predicted XI v Leeds United
Prediction: Leeds United 1-2 Everton
Up against the noise of the Elland Road crowd, it will certainly be tough for the Toffees to get started and make a dent in LS11.
With that being said, the likes of Ndiaye, Alcaraz and Dewsbury-Hall need to do all they can to silence the atmosphere to take all three points.
If Moyes’ side can get on the scoresheet, especially through the Leeds-linked man Beto, it could be the perfect way to start the new season.
Sunderland have already proven how difficult facing a newly promoted side can be, while Tottenham have showcased that the opposite can be true.
West Ham fell to a 3-0 defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
Tottenham battered Burnley 4-0 in their first league outing under Thomas Frank
It will be interesting to see how the Toffees get on, but if they get off to a quick start, there is every chance they can utilise their top-level experience to win.
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