Chris Sutton looks at Everton’s clash with Leeds ahead of Monday’s game.
The Toffees welcome Daniel Farke’s side to Hill Dickinson on Monday night off the back of an impressive win at Villa Park.
Indeed, Thierno Barry‘s deft chip gave Everton a deserved 1-0 win in the Midlands last week.
David Moyes‘ side seem better equipped on the road rather than at home. While victories at Manchester United, Bournemouth and Aston Villa have inspired optimism, our home form has been below standard.
Our recent set of results makes us ‘impossible to predict’, according to Chris Sutton, who has in fact predicted a 1-1 draw ahead of Monday’s game.
He said: “I’m definitely adding Everton to my list of teams who are impossible to predict. They’ve had some brilliant results this season, and some really disappointing ones too.
“They will be without the injured Jack Grealish here but they were depleted against Villa last time out and they were brilliant in that game.
“Thierno Barry took his goal ever so well for their winner. I know it was close in but it was still a lovely finish.
“When you watch Barry closely, he is frustrating sometimes but he is a real nuisance and he is so good in the air. I was impressed by Harrison Armstrong and Merlin Rohl as well, and having Iliman Ndiaye back after winning the Afcon with Senegal will lift Everton too.”
EVERTON MUST START PICKING UP WINS AT HOME, BUT LEEDS WILL BE TOUGH OPPONENT
Jack Grealish’s injury is a huge blow for Moyes. With an expected absence of months rather than weeks, questions remain about the 30-year-old’s future.
In more uplifting news, Everton should have Senegalese duo Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye available again.
The pair return to Merseyside victorious following their win in the controversial AFCON final.
As for Leeds, the Blues will be weary of former player Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The ex-Everton forward has nine goals and one assist in 20 league games this season.
No doubt he’ll return with a point to prove and will be a handful for Everton’s defence.
Moyes must stick with the same backline from the win at Villa Park. Indeed, we’re considerably more balanced with O’Brien at centre-back, and Nathan Patterson has performed well since his return to fitness.
Leeds will be no pushovers. They’ve distanced themselves from the relegation zone and now trail Everton by just seven points.
However, we must start picking up more points at home if we’re to capitalise on those gained away.
