Leeds United take on Everton in the Premier League in just nine days in a Monday Night Football fixture at Elland Road.
Opening day in the Premier League is just a week away but Everton against Leeds United will be the final game of opening weekend.
With Leeds’ opening Premier League games showing a mixed bag in recent seasons, they will hope for a fast start prior to facing Arsenal and Newcastle United in the two games following it.
Leeds’ first XI vs Everton will hopefully take shape in the coming weeks, with more additions still needed before Daniel Farke feels they are ready to attack the division.
It remains to be seen who Farke will start in attack against Everton, but one thing is certain already. That is because Jaka Bijol will miss the game for Leeds vs Everton through suspension.
Graham Smyth’s verdict on Leeds United facing Everton
There have already been major ticketing issues for Leeds ahead of facing Everton, but excitement is building ahead of the opener, even with more work to do on both sides.
David Moyes and Everton have had transfer issues earlier this summer, but they have been bolstered by the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this week.
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The former Leicester City man could come up against Ilia Gruev for the Everton game, who has certainly staked a claim this pre-season.
Graham Smyth has since provided his verdict on the outcome of the game, but also on the season as a whole in terms of where he expects Leeds to finish.
Speaking via the Inside Elland Road Podcast, Smyth said: “I’m going to say Leeds United 2-1 Everton. And it’s going to be a late goal and Elland Road is going to play a part in that.
“And, yeah, Everton are going to be a little bit shell shocked by the Elland Road factor, with the goals coming from Bijol — not Bijol, because he’s not playing — Stach.
“Stach is going to open his account and the sexy new left winger is going to score as well.”
Then questioned on how he feels about the season as a whole, he predicts that Leeds will buck the trend of newly-promoted side suffering immediate relegation. He added: “I’m going to predict 16th.”
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesWhat transfers are most vital for Leeds to make before Everton?
Of late, Everton’s transfer business has accelerated and put Leeds to shame. There is still time to make further additions, but they look in strong shape right now.
With other reports stating that Leeds will now target forwards in the transfer window, Beren Cross has since named the four areas he believes Leeds will sign players before the deadline.
That includes three attacking bodies and a full-back. Farke agrees with that assessment of the window, which means Leeds have work to do before the window is closed.
However, a full-back for depth and three attackers aren’t necessarily a priority all before the fixture. Leeds will hope, in an ideal and realistic world, to have at least one of the forward players in.
The striker would perhaps be the priority, but a winger would also be a real asset. Smyth thinks that the imaginary signing in that role will make the difference against the Toffees; but there’s work to do.