Premier League: Leeds Prepare For Lift Off Against The Toffees

Leeds United vs Everton

The strains of “Marching on Together” will echo around West Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon as Leeds United welcome Everton to Elland Road for a ding-dong Premier League clash.

For Leeds to be at home in front of their fans for the first time since their return to the top flight is a huge thing, and the atmosphere at the ground will be crackling as some of the most loyal and passionate fans in world football welcome their side back in the English top-flight.

Leeds United vs Everton is a classic modern day fixture and, before the English league was re-structured, one of the best Division One battles through the ages.

And now the two teams return to hostilities in a packed stadium and it will be a sight to behold. The Whites had a brilliant return to the elite with a ninth place finish last season, but they will be smarting after an opening day humbling at the hands of Manchester United.

Meanwhile for the Toffees, they have a new manager in Rafael Benitez and they are setting their sights higher than last season’s 10^th place.

The pre-match Premier League 2021 betting odds place the hosts as favourites. But with all three results well in play, this will be one of the most watched encounters of the weekend.

Talking Points

Bielsa hopeful Phillips will be fit to start

After playing a total of 90 minutes in preseason, England midfield ace Kalvin Phillips lost his race to be fit to start in Leeds’ opener but boss Marcelo Bielsa hopes the club stalwart will be ready for action against the Toffees.

In their opening fixture, the Whites took an almighty hammering at the hands of old rivals Manchester United.

They lost 5-1 as Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick and Paul Pogba made four assists. Luke Ayling had given the Yorkshire side parity when he fired in a stunner minutes after the break. But the Red Wave, roared on by a full crowd at Old Trafford, eventually engulfed the visitors.

Premier League: Leeds United avoided clean sheet defeat vs Manchester United, thanks to Luke Ayling — Leeds United’s Luke Ayling celebrates after scoring against Manchester United

There were signs that Leeds could match or better last season’s achievements as the hosts’ keeper David de Gea stretched to make saves from Jack Harrison and Mateusz Klich, while last season’s top scorer Patrick Bamford toiled but without much joy.

Bielsa brought on new signing Junior Firpo for Rodrigo at the break, but he had little chance to impress as the Red Devils upped the ante.

Phillips is such a crucial player for the Whites. He breaks up opposition attacks and can dictate the pace of play, allowing the more creative players to thrive. His inclusion against Everton on Saturday would be a major boost.

Everton full–backs are crucial to success

As Phillips’ all-round play is vital to the balance of the Leeds team, such is also the case for the Everton wing-backs. When Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman are fit, the Toffees are more defensively sound and they also carry a bigger threat going forward.

Last term when both were out for extensive periods, Everton struggled at each end of the pitch. Keeper Jordan Pickford and his centre-backs Michael Keane and Mason Holgate benefit from the experience and poise of Coleman and Digne, while both provide plenty of ammunition for the front players.

Everton opened their campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over Southampton. Trailing to a first half strike from Adam Armstrong, the Toffees roared back in the second half as Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke down the Saints’ resistance as shown in the Premier League 2021 highlights.

New recruit Andros Townsend made an assist on his debut, teeing up Richarlison for the equaliser before Everton coasted to well-earned win.

The appointment of former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as head coach was not universally cheered in the blue half of Merseyside. But if his team continues to play as they did in the second 45 last weekend, he will soon become a fan favourite.

History

The head-to-heads between Leeds United and Everton tell a story of well-contested games over Premier League years. Of the 26 matches played since 1993, Leeds have won nine to Everton’s seven and there have been 10 draws.

Last season, with the caveat that matches were played in empty stadiums, the away team won each of these fixtures.

Leeds triumphed 0-1 at Goodison Park, thanks to Raphinha’s first league goal for the Whites before the Toffees won their revenge with a 1-2 victory at Elland Road.

In that match, Raphinha was on target again but goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Calvert-Lewin won all three points for the Toffees.

Betting Tip

	Leeds United vs Everton	Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.99
	August 21, 22:00 (GMT+8)

Leeds have the edge at SBOTOP odds of 2.24 to win, with the draw at 3.30 and an Everton victory at 2.86.

A 1-1 draw at odds of 5.99 is the most likely outcome, but I wouldn’t rule out a winner either way in what should turn out to be a cracking homecoming for the Leeds faithful.