Leeds United head into Tuesday’s fixture with Everton looking to strengthen their hold of a place in the top six of the Premier League standings.
While the Toffees make the trip to Elland Road unbeaten in their last two outings, they are yet to record a league win during 2022-23.
Such has been Leeds’ performances during the opening weeks that their supporters would have backed their club to end Brighton & Hove Albion’s unbeaten record at the weekend.
However, the Yorkshire giants were outplayed by their hosts at the Amex Stadium, arguably being fortunate to only succumb by a 1-0 scoreline to a team who could emerge as rivals for a top-10 position later in the campaign.
Jesse Marsch will keep things in perspective with seven points from a possible 12 more than respectable ahead of a double-header with Everton and Brentford.
That said, expectation levels are on the rise at Elland Road with no concerns over any kind of a relegation battle this time around.
Leeds have played three games at their home ground in all competitions this campaign, scoring at least twice in each of them and netting eight times in total.
In sharp contrast, Everton are yet to score more than once in any of their five outings this season, a consequence of their struggles to get a frontline forward on the pitch.
That should change now that Neal Maupay has been signed from Brighton & Hove Albion, while Salomon Rondon is still an option while Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Nevertheless, it is up to other players to step up as well, and Everton have been reliant on Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon netting their goals against Nottingham Forest and Brentford respectively.
The saga involving Gordon and Chelsea may go on until the final day of the transfer window, even if Frank Lampard insists that he is reaching a point where a resolution needs to be found one way or another.
Whether it is with Gordon in his squad until January or another £50m+ at his disposal before Thursday’s deadline, Lampard needs every tool possible to try to move Everton away from the relegation zone over the coming weeks.
Leeds United Premier League form:
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Leeds United form (all competitions):
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Everton Premier League form:
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Everton form (all competitions):
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We say: Leeds United 2-0 Everton
Now that they have another frontline striker in their ranks, Everton will be more optimistic about performing in the final third. Nevertheless, we cannot back against Leeds in this fixture, who already have three successive wins at Elland Road this season.