Sabasports Match Preview
Premier League: Leeds United, Everton
Kickoff Time: 2025-08-19 03:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
Leeds United was champions of the EFL Championship last season. In the summer transfer window, the club invested 85.4 million euros to bring in players from top leagues, strengthening all three lines. Notable signings include: Anton Stach (midfielder from Hoffenheim), Jaka Bijol (central defender from Udinese), Lucas Perri (goalkeeper from Lyon), Sean Longstaff (midfielder from Newcastle United), Gabriel Gudmundsson (defender from Rennes), Sebastiaan Bornauw (central defender from Wolfsburg), Lukas Nmecha (striker from Wolfsburg), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (forward from Everton), who is the opponent in this match. The team’s overall strength has significantly improved. In pre-season friendlies, they drew with AC Milan, Villarreal, and Manchester United – top European teams – showing good form.
Everton appointed their legendary manager David Moyes in January, and the team’s performance improved, finishing in 13th place. In the summer transfer window, the squad underwent major changes, with key players such as Ashley Young (full-back), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (forward), and Abdoulaye Doucoure (midfielder) leaving. Among them, Doucoure’s departure had the biggest impact, as he was the key player for transitioning from attack to defense. Everton’s tactics are now being restructured. New signings include Thierno Barry (striker from Villarreal, who scored 11 goals and provided four assists in La Liga last season), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (versatile midfielder from Chelsea), Adam Aznou (left-back from Bayern Munich), and Jack Grealish (winger on loan from Manchester City). However, the transfer strategy seems to have failed, as Everton only managed two draws and four losses in pre-season matches. Even against lower-league teams like Blackburn and Accrington, they couldn’t win. It’s clear that Everton is not in top form.
In the EFL Championship, Leeds United was known as a “home giant,” winning almost all their home games. They had just one loss at home, scoring 61 goals and conceding only 12. Their attacking and defensive performances were outstanding. Now, coming into their first home game after promotion, facing an Everton team that is reorganizing tactically and in poor form, it’s unlikely that Leeds will miss the chance to take all three points at home.
Leeds United‘s Last 5 Games: DDWWW
25-08-09 Leeds United 1-1 AC Milan
25-07-19 Manchester United 0-0 Leeds United
25-05-03 Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Leeds United
25-04-29 Leeds United 4-0 Bristol City
25-04-21 Leeds United 5-0 Stoke City
Everton’s Last 5 Games: LDLLW
25-08-09 Everton 0-1 AS Roma
25-08-04 Manchester United 2-2 Everton
25-07-31 West Ham United 2-1 Everton
25-07-27 Everton 0-3 AFC Bournemouth
25-05-25 Newcastle United 0-1 Everton
Head-To-Head Record
23-02-18 Everton 1-0 Leeds United
22-08-31 Leeds United 1-1 Everton
22-02-12 Everton 3-0 Leeds United
21-08-21 Leeds United 2-2 Everton
21-02-04 Leeds United 1-2 Everton
Prediction: Leeds United to win