Everton FC vs Leeds United, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Everton FC vs Leeds United Match Prediction & Analysis

Everton will have been pleased to return to winning ways last weekend, after enduring a poor spell of form which saw them take three defeats on the bounce.

Those three defeats coincided with the suspension of Brazilian striker Richarlison, who returned to help his side to victory against Fulham. 

Such is the inconsistency of most teams this season, despite Everton’s poor spell of form, they only sit two points off the top four, a gap which they could make up this weekend.

Leeds’ honeymoon period at the start of the season has faded for sure of late, leading to three defeats in the past five matches and just one win out of the last six.

They battled to a point against Arsenal last weekend, but face a tough run of fixtures going in December meaning that Premier League life won’t get any easier for the Yorkshire club.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Everton FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): WLLLW

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Last weekend’s win shows a welcome return to form

     Richarlison’s return after suspension has improved them

Reasons to be fearful:

     Lucas Digne requires surgery on his ankle

     Seamus Coleman also misses out on the opposite wing

Everton’s manager Carlo Ancelotti has assured fans that their tricky spell, where they did not win in four matches and lost their last three, has ended after a win last weekend.

They certainly seemed far more assured in front of goal than they had in previous matches, scoring more than one goal for the first time in four fixtures.

The returning Richarlison also had a big impact on the game, putting in the cross for Calvert-Lewin’s opening goal early on. A win here will lift them into the top four, albeit temporarily until other teams play.

Everton face a tricky run of fixtures in December, with Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester United all facing The Toffees before Christmas. 

This represents a great opportunity to further boost their confidence and take back to back victories.

Star Man – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Scored his 9th and 10th goals of the season against Fulham. When he gets the right service, he’s almost unstoppable.

Leeds United Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LWLLD

Reasons to be cheerful

     Bamford has scored four in four away games

     FIFA nomination for their manager 

Reasons to be fearful 

     Third highest number of goals conceded

     Inconsistency is a major problem for the team

Marcelo Bielsa was this week named on the FIFA shortlist for the Best Coach award over the past year, perhaps somewhat surprising given that he was the only coach not to have won a major trophy.

Still, it shows the respect which the football world has for the style of play which makes his sides so entertaining to watch.

Despite having an attractive style , Leeds’ form has slipped over the past month or so, meaning that they’ve only enjoyed one victory in their last six matches. They’ve also conceded more goals than they’ve scored, which is never a good sign for a newly promoted side.

They have plenty of time to turn around their form, this season is of course only 9 matches old. But with a tough Winter schedule ahead of them, they need to continue picking up points to stay comfortable.

Star Man – Patrick Bamford

Has four goals in Leeds’ four away games this season