The Monday Night Football is upon us, and what a crucial match we have in store – Everton hosting Leeds in a battle that could have significant implications for both teams’ seasons. The Toffees are still clinging to their Champions League dreams, and a win would take them within two points of 5th place, which could be enough to secure a spot in Europe’s top competition next season.
David Moyes’ side has been on a decent run, with just one loss in their last five matches, including a impressive win over title contenders Aston Villa in their previous outing. They’ve been a tough nut to crack, and I expect them to make life difficult for Leeds.
The visitors, on the other hand, have had a mixed weekend. West Ham’s win over Sunderland cut their cushion from the bottom three, and Nottingham Forest’s victory over Brentford means they’re now level on points with Leeds. Daniel Farke’s side needs to respond, but it won’t be easy against an Everton team that’s been solid at the back.
I’m not expecting a goal-fest tonight, folks. Both teams have been defensively sound, and a low-scoring encounter is on the cards. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends 0-0. Everton has struggled to find the back of the net at home, with just 13 goals scored, while Leeds has been poor on the road, with only four teams scoring fewer goals away from home.
The head-to-head record between these two teams is interesting, with Leeds winning the most recent meeting 1-0 on the opening day of the season courtesy of a late Lukas Nmecha penalty. Overall, Leeds has the edge, with 53 wins to Everton’s 36 in their 123 meetings.
In terms of team news, Everton will be without Tim Iroegbunam, Michael Keane, and Jack Grealish, while Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are nearing returns from injury. Leeds, on the other hand, will miss Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Anton Stach, while Daniel James is still a week or so away from returning.
As for predicted lineups, I think Everton will go with a 4-3-3 formation, with Jordan Pickford in goal and a back four of Patterson, Tarkowski, O’Brien, and Mykolenko. Leeds, meanwhile, will likely stick with their 3-4-3 system, with Perri in goal and a front two of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Okafor.
Calvert-Lewin, by the way, has been in excellent form, and I think he’s a good bet to have two or more shots on target against his former club. You can get 13/5 on that with BetVictor.
In terms of odds, Everton is the favorite to win, but it’s a tight one. Our bet builder tip is to back under 2.5 goals, Calvert-Lewin to have two or more shots on target, over 9.5 corners, and James Garner to be carded, which comes in at 11/1 with SpreadEx.
The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Monday, and you can catch it live on Sky Sports or stream it on Sky Go. It’s going to be a tense, tactical affair, but I’m excited to see how it plays out. Let’s get ready for a thrilling Monday Night Football!
