Everton are back on the banks of the Mersey on Monday as they welcome Leeds to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The match comes at the end of what feels like a very Everton-kind of week, with fans seemingly never
allowed to enjoy nice things for too long.
The win at Aston Villa was arguably the best of the season (apart from Man Utd perhaps?), given Villa’s fantastic home form and the number of absentees. For all David Moyes’ criticisms, he can certainly organise a winning side when they have their backs against the wall.
Later that evening, Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye lifted the Africa Cup of Nations after a chaotic win over Morocco, with the end of the tournament meaning they are set to return to the squad.
But (and there’s always a but) Everton optimism was dented by news of Jack Grealish’s broken foot. We don’t yet know a timescale for his recovery, but he is going to miss several months and may not even play again this season. It is a crushing blow to lose a player with such a talismanic presence. It may even put any potential permanent move in doubt. Evertonians will just have to cross their fingers and hope the injury is not as bad as first feared and that he can return before May.
On the pitch, the focus will likely now switch to improving Everton’s home form. They have won more away league games this season than at Hill Dickinson, and last picked up three points there against Forest at the start of December.
There is mitigation, of course. The ‘new stadium factor’ may mean the players and fans don’t yet feel at home. Not helped, of course, by the fixture scheduling, with plenty of Sunday and midweek games (including this one). Injuries, suspensions and AFCON have also made it difficult to win any game recently. There is at least light at the end of the tunnel on that front, and while the loss of Grealish is a blow, the return of Ndiaye will help make up for the loss of his creativity.
The opposition
Six weeks ago, Leeds looked in deep trouble. A defeat at Manchester City on 29 November was a sixth in seven games and left them in the relegation zone. But the spirited second-half display at the Etihad appeared to be the catalyst for a revival that has lifted them away from danger.
The Whites have lost just one in 10 in all competitions (a 112th-minute defeat at Newcastle), winning four and drawing five – two of those against Liverpool – lifting them eight points clear of danger.
Spearheading that revival is a certain Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored eight goals in 10 games, including six in a row, matching the kind of form he enjoyed under Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park – form that earned him an England call-up. Unlike some Evertonians, I bear Calvert-Lewin no grudge. It was disappointing to lose him for nothing, but it felt like the time was right for all parties. After seeing several years of his career decimated by injury, he deserves a clear run of fitness and form – though I obviously hope he blanks on Monday.
Previous meeting
Leeds 1–0 Everton, 18 August 2025
Everton began the season looking distinctly undercooked at Elland Road, though they were a touch unfortunate to lose courtesy of a controversial late penalty. James Tarkowski was penalised for deliberate handball as he attempted to block a shot with his chest, with Lukas Nmecha converting to get Leeds’ campaign off to a winning start.
Team news
Everton, of course, will be without Jack Grealish because of his broken foot. It remains to be seen whether Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye will feature, after they only returned to training on Friday.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite and Charly Alcaraz are all back in training and have an outside chance of making the matchday squad. Michael Keane serves the final game of his three-match ban.
Final word
The win at Aston Villa was a real shot in the arm after an awful opening week of 2026. With players starting to return, it may well mean their mid-winter slump is coming to an end, and a win on Monday could hopefully banish some of their home struggles. But the problem with being a mid-table side (which Everton are) is that results fluctuate week on week, so this is far from a home banker.
