Everton come knocking as Leeds eager to get off the mark
By Benson Mbare, August 21, 2021
The 2021/22 English Premier League season moves into its second weekend, as teams continue to get their rhythm right.
The action in game week two sees Marcelo Bielsa coached side Leeds United and Everton locking horns in a late afternoon fixture.
Leeds United will be eager to get off the mark in the 2021/22 Premier League season when they welcome Everton to Elland Road.
Leeds United made a woeful start to their campaign, with Manchester United thrashing the visitors 5-1 on the opening weekend.
Fast pace football from Manchester would displace the Leeds defence who showed very little defensive acumen, which made it all the simpler for the Red Devils to cruise to a victory.
However, heading to the Everton game, Marcelo Bielsa will need to address a few issues with defence being top-notch for his side to avoid another defeat.
Everton, on the other hand, concluded their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester United.
The Toffees, though, were rather impressive in their opener having to come a goal down to beat Southampton 3-1, with Brazilian forward Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on target.
Everton head coach Rafael Benitez has no injury concerns heading to the Leeds fixture at Elland Road, but will have to make do without as many as four first-team players. A major absentee is James Rodriguez,
The future of the Colombian continues to be a subject of some intense speculation. With the likes of Ben Godfrey, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes also unavailable for Everton.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will be the man between the sticks, with Everton probably lining up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation against Leeds.
Leeds on the other hand will be desperate to bounce back from their opening-weekend loss, but Benitez will have belief in his team’s ability to exploit the home side’s weaknesses on Saturday afternoon.