Everton kick off their Premier League season on Monday night as David Moyes takes his side to face Leeds United at Elland Road.
Leeds United lock horns with Everton as the first gameweek of the new Premier League season comes to an end.
The Toffees experienced an uptick in results after David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche last season, but they must now kick on in the new Premier League campaign.
Jack Grealish joined Everton last week, and Moyes may be tempted to unleash the Manchester City loanee against Leeds.
Elland Road will be hostile as Leeds make another return to the Premier League, though Paul Merson is predicting an Everton win in West Yorkshire.
David Moyes, Manager of Everton, looks on
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
Everton injury and team news
Moyes has been handed a real blow in preparation for this game, with defender Jarrad Branthwaite picking up an injury in training.
Branthwaite has been ruled out against Leeds and faces the prospect of weeks on the treatment table.
Vitaliy Mykolenko faces a late fitness test, while Nathan Patterson and Harrison Armstrong are also nursing injury problems.
Moyes must also check on new signing Grealish, who is some way behind the rest of the Everton squad in terms of sharpness and preparation.
Everton predicted lineup v Leeds United
There should be no surprises between the sticks, with Jordan Pickford set to start another season as Everton’s first-choice stopper.
Moyes has used Jake O’Brien as a right-back in his second reign as Everton boss, and while Branthwaite’s injury could force a reshuffle, he looks likely to stay in that position.
Branthwaite’s injury could bring Michael Keane into the starting XI, potentially partnering James Tarkowski in the heart of defence.
Mykolenko’s fitness test will be key here, but Moyes will have hope of utilising the Ukrainian defender from the start at Elland Road.
If Mykolenko doesn’t make it, summer signing Adam Aznou may be primed for a first Premier League start.
A generated image of the potential Everton starting lineup against Leeds United.
Credit: GRV Media
Idrissa Gana Gueye has reunited with Jack Grealish at Everton, and the Senegal midfielder looks set to partner James Garner in the heart of the Toffees midfield.
The big call will come over Grealish’s participation, and the former Aston Villa star could feature on the left flank.
Iliman Ndiaye would then shift over to the right side, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall slotting in as the number 10.
Thierno Barry was given the nod in Everton’s last friendly against Roma, but the more experienced Beto could be preferred at Elland Road.
That lineup would leave the likes of Seamus Coleman, Dwight McNeil, Tim Iroegbunam and Barry on the bench, with Everton certainly still in need of further additions before the end of the window.