It comes down to this, then. Leeds United make their Premier League return on Monday night, as they welcome Everton to Elland Road with Daniel Farke’s side aiming for survival.
Leeds are tasked with averaging a point a game to break the trend of promoted sides suffering relegation straight away. The last six promoted sides, over the last two seasons, have all been relegated immediately.
There has been plenty of talk over whether Leeds will be relegated or survive come May 2026. But it is all hypothetical until Leeds take to the pitch on Monday, after Burnley were beaten but Sunderland won 3-0.
Ahead of the game, David Moyes and Daniel Farke have been discussing their sides and which players will be available and those that could be missing from Monday night’s clash between the two historic sides.
Daniel Farke, Leeds United manager.
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Leeds United’s injuries and missing players ahead of Everton clash
For Leeds, Dan James, Lucas Perri and Jack Harrison all returned from injuries against AC Milan. But the final friendly in Dublin last Saturday came too soon for signing Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jayden Bogle.
Speaking on Friday, Farke did not confirm if Bornauw was fit to play though the Belgian was only a doubt against Milan and could be on the bench. Farke also stated Bogle could play against Everton on Monday.
Jaka Bijol though, is suspended. The Slovenia star carries over a suspension he picked up while playing for Udinese and while there is some frustration it remains relevant in the Premier League, it has been upheld.
Leeds United’s injuries and suspensions:
Jaka Bijol: Suspended (out)
Jayden Bogle: Hip (doubt)
Sebastiaan Bornauw: Calf (doubt)
David Moyes, Everton manager.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Everton’s injuries and missing players ahead of Leeds United clash
Meanwhile, Moyes confirmed that star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite will be missing after picking up a hamstring injury during pre-season. A big blow for The Toffees, with Branthwaite seen as a key player.
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Left-back Vitalii Mykolenko also remains a doubt, but Moyes did confirm that the Ukraine star could be available come Monday. The same for right-back Nathan Patterson and Harrison Armstrong tomorrow.
Everton’s issues and suspensions:
Jarrad Branthwaite: Hamstring (out)
Vitalii Mykolenko: Groin (doubt)
Harrison Armstrong: Thigh (doubt)
Nathan Patterson: Groin/thigh/hip (doubt)
Four Everton players could miss Monday’s clash then, but only one is a confirmed definite absentee for Moyes and Everton. Jack Grealish could start for Everton, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is ready for Leeds.