Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Everton and Leeds United, and offers betting tips, odds, and team news.
It’s Ancelotti vs Bielsa as Everton welcome Leeds United to Goodison Park for a Premier League showdown on Saturday evening.
Five points may be all that separate the two teams after nine games, but they’re still nine places apart in the standings. Everton are ahead in sixth upon overcoming a recent blip in form, with Leeds down in 15th.
The pressure will be on the Whites to bag a result, but will their defensive woes cost them? Given Everton’s prolific prowess this season, along with their poor record at Goodison Park, a challenging yet potential another goal-thriller awaits for the visitors.
Everton Form & Stats
Carlo Ancelotti’s side ended a three-match losing streak last weekend by grabbing a much-needed victory at Fulham. Conceding two goals for a seventh time this season was disappointing, but the three points got their European hopes back on track.
The prolific Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued his superb form to bag a brace at Craven Cottage, taking his tally up to 10 Premier League goals. Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the other goal to wrap up a 3-2 win.
Perhaps it wasn’t the most convincing of victories, but it ended a winless run of four games. Ancelotti even expressed hope that ‘the difficult period is gone’ and stated plans to ‘fight for the top of the table’.
But Everton, much like Leeds in fact, have struggled in the defensive aspect of their game. They may be one of the league’s highest scorers on 19 goals, but the Toffees are level with Liverpool on 16 conceded goals for the fourth-worst defensive record.
Key Team Stats
- Lost three of their last five league games (W1 D1).
- Won just two of their four home league games.
- Conceded two or more goals in seven of their nine league games.
- BTTS in all four of their home league games.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 10 league goals in nine games.
Leeds United Form & Stats
The Championship title holders produced a terrific display against Arsenal last weekend and were perhaps unfairly held to a 0-0 draw. Especially as they had 25 attempts on goal compared to the Gunners’ nine, and hit the woodwork three times.
That inability to break down the Arsenal defense not only left Marcelo Bielsa frustrated, but it raised doubts over Leeds’ threat in attack. The Whites continue to create chances, but only have four goals to show in their seven league games.
It’s clearly becoming a problem that Bielsa, who won a nomination for FIFA’s men’s coach of the year this week, needs to resolve fast. Results are beginning to suffer and it may leave Leeds on the back foot later on.
And with a trip to Chelsea coming up next, Leeds need a response at Merseyside.
Key Team Stats
- Lost three of their last five league games (W1 D1).
- Won two of their last three away league games (L1).
- Scored in all four of their away league games.
Team News
Everton: Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Seamus Coleman, & Lucas Digne (out).
Leeds: Diego Llorente, Pablo Hernandez, & Jamie Shackleton (out).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Recent Games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.