England Premier League
Saturday 18th February 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Goodison Park
Match Preview:
Sean Dyche has been thrown into the equivalent of the Marina Trench in his first few games as Everton manager. First up he had to face the league leaders Arsenal who had previously only lost 1 game and against all odds Everton won 1-0. Next was the Merseyside derby, a game that Everton very rarely win at the best of times and the Toffees lost 2-0. But facing Leeds at home Dyche’s side will be expected to win and at the end of the day this is a match that Everton need to win and there will be a lot of focus on the club this weekend.
Against Liverpool it was the same old story for Everton who looked toothless and they just seem to have trouble beating their neighbours. They have obviously been lacking in quality over the last 20 years compared to the Reds but there is no doubt that there seems to be a psychological barrier too and fans would have witnessed a side of Everton they can ill afford to see for the remainder of the season. On Saturday Everton need to be the team that showed so much passion, grit and determination that they put on against Arsenal. Everton are currently in 18th place however a win here would be huge and they would go above Leeds and could also go above West Ham if the Hammers fail to win their game.
Leeds are still looking for a manager to replace the sacked Jesse Marsch and they are in real danger of being involved in a long relegation battle. The club are in 17th place but are only a point above the bottom three. They have earned just 2 points from their last five games but there is food for thought for Everton which is Leeds forced a 2-2 draw in their last away game which was against the in form Manchester United. However overall the club has won just one game on the road so far and lost 7 from 11 games. On average they are also conceding 2 goals per game away from home.
Team News:
Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin is injured again with his hamstring with no fixed return date as of yet. James Garner is out because of a lack of match fitness but could be back next week, it is the same situation for Nathan Patterson. Andros Townsend remains sidelined although there is hope he could return next month.
Leeds: Liam Cooper is 50/50 to make this game and will be assessed, Adam Forshaw and Archie Gray are set to miss out again. Sonny Perkins is being tipped to return after his ankle injury. Marc Roca is 50/50 and will be assessed. Luis Sinisterra is out with his on going muscle issue but Pascal Struijk is being tipped to return from a head injury. Stuart Dallas is out long term with a leg injury.
Everton vs Leeds Head to Head:
Last season Everton won this fixture 3-0.
Leeds have not beaten Everton for the last 4 meetings.
3 of the last four meetings has seen over 2.5 goals.
Leeds beat Everton away from home in 2020 but that was the first time in the league in 30 years.
Everton vs Leeds Prediction:
Everton look a great price to win this game and we have seen previously how the home fans really get behind their team even hours before a ball has been kicked when they start to struggle like they are now. There is a lot of belief in the manager and some of the toxic feeling surrounding the club seems to have got better in the last few weeks.
There is still something deeply worrying about Everton though, they seem weaker mentally than other teams, and Leeds remain a dangerous opponent despite the struggle of bringing a new manager in. The Toffees have a fantastic record over Leeds at home but it is a blow for Everton that Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains out but that means other players really need to come to the fore. Everton look weak up front and struggle to score from open play, and Leeds might surprise a few and get something from this game.
Everton vs Leeds Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+0.5 Leeds) at 1.57
Leeds to win 2-1 at 11.50 or draw 1-1 at 6.10
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