Leeds United — Everton : Match Preview and Prediction for August 18,2025
Leeds United
Leeds United’s Premier League Return
Leeds will aim to make a strong statement after their brilliant last season in the Championship, which they won, accumulating 100 points alongside Burnley. However, Burnley has already started their Premier League campaign with a loss.Pre-Season Preparations and Tactical Intent
The Whites opted for a limited pre-season schedule, playing only three friendlies, but against top-tier opponents: Manchester United (0-0), Villarreal (1-1), and AC Milan (1-1). Daniel Farke immediately signaled his intention to adopt a defensive approach in the elite division.Squad Strengthening and European Ambitions
The club’s management successfully achieved a crucial objective by retaining their core squad. This was accomplished by parting ways only with Rasmus Kristensen, who moved to Eintracht Frankfurt. Furthermore, they significantly strengthened the team, signing several excellent players for Leeds’ standards: Lucas Perri (from Lyon), Anton Stach (Hoffenheim), Sean Longstaff (Newcastle), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Lille), Jaka Bijol (Udinese), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton). With such a formidable roster, they could certainly contend for European qualification, especially if Farke adopts a more audacious attacking style.Leeds United’s Player Availability
Daniel Farke will be without three players: Bogl, Bornauw, and Bijol.League Standings
#
Team
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
12
Aston Villa
1
0
1
0
0-0
1
13
Everton
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
14
Leeds United
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
15
Manchester United
1
0
0
1
0-1
0
16
Bournemouth
1
0
0
1
2-4
0
Injuries and Suspensions
Players Suspended
-
Suspension Jaka Bijol Rotation Player DF
0 matches played0 goals scoredAugust 9 out since0 matches missed
Players Doubtful
-
Injury Sebastian Bornauw Rotation Player DF0 matches played0 goals scoredJuly 19 out since2 matches missed
Everton
Everton’s Consistent Struggle
Everton has accustomed its fans to not competing for high finishes, often hovering near the relegation zone and frequently at risk of dropping down. This was evident in the previous Premier League season. However, due to respectable results towards the end, they managed to distance themselves from the relegation zone, ultimately securing 13th place.Dismal Pre-Season Performance
This trend is further reinforced by their abysmal pre-season, where the Toffees failed to secure a single victory, drawing twice and suffering four defeats: Accrington (1-1), Blackburn (0-1), and Roma (0-1). The remaining matches were part of the Premier League Summer Series, where they displayed good quality football only against Manchester United (2-2), but struggled against Bournemouth (0-3) and West Ham (1-2).Squad Reinforcements Amidst Managerial Complaints
David Moyes frequently complained to journalists about the management’s lack of initiative in strengthening the squad. He publicly stated that they were not prepared for the start of the season. However, the board eventually heeded his concerns, signing several promising players: Jack Grealish (from Manchester City), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea), Thierno Barry (Villarreal), and Carlos Jonas Alcaraz (Flamengo). On the other hand, they had to part ways with Abdoulaye Doucoure (to NEOM) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (to Leeds).Everton’s Player Availability Issues
Moyes faces squad selection challenges, with Mykolenko, Patterson, and Armstrong’s participation in doubt, and the injured Branthwaite definitely ruled out.League Standings
#
Team
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
11
Newcastle United
1
0
1
0
0-0
1
12
Aston Villa
1
0
1
0
0-0
1
13
Everton
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
14
Leeds United
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
15
Manchester United
1
0
0
1
0-1
0
Injuries and Suspensions
Players Injured
-
Injury Jarrad Branthwaite Key Player DF0 matches played0 goals scoredAugust 9 out since1 match missed
Players Doubtful
-
Injury Vitaliy Mykolenko Key Player DF3 matches played0 goals scoredAugust 9 out since0 matches missed
-
Injury Nathan Patterson Rotation Player DF2 matches played0 goals scoredJuly 31 out since3 matches missed
-
Injury Harrison Armstrong Rotation Player MF3 matches played0 goals scoredAugust 4 out since2 matches missed
Mark Thompson
