Everton vs Leeds prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-02-17 15:00.
Following the high of beating the Premier League (PL) leaders Arsenal nine days earlier, Everton were brought back down to earth with a humbling 2-0 defeat away to rivals Liverpool on Monday night. While such a result will always sting the blue half of the city, there’s an acceptance that this contest against fellow relegation rivals Leeds United is much bigger as they come to Goodison Park one place and point above the 18th-placed Toffees.
Although he’s only been in charge for two games, manager Sean Dyche admitted there’s a “different feel” to Everton in home matches. The home crowd play a big role in that, and the team will be relying on them to make it as hostile as possible for the visitors who don’t usually shine at Goodison even in the best of times, highlighted by the fact that Everton have lost only one of the last 15 home league matches between the sides (W7, D7).
It’s not just in the league table that the visitors sit in a precarious position, but also in their managerial hunt. After taking a number of dead ends, the Whites have gone back to the drawing board and this week confirmed Michael Skubala would remain in charge for this contest. It’s an unenviable task for the 40-year-old and he could oversee an unwanted piece of club history – no win here would equal Leeds’ fewest league wins across a 20-game span (two) which was set way back in August 1947.
Despite their poor form which has seen them go nine league games without a win, it’s interesting to note that coming into the gameweek, Leeds rank ninth in the division for shots attempted (270) and tenth for shots faced (292), two performance indicators that suggest they could be in a false position. Ultimately though, it’s all about delivering victories which coincidentally is something Leeds have failed to do in their last three games against sides coming into the contest in the relegation zone (D2, L1).
Players to watch: After two from his last two matches, no PL goalkeeper has picked up more yellow cards than Jordan Pickford (five). Despite no goal in five competitive appearances, Patrick Bamford boasts three assists from his last four games and two in his last three H2Hs.
Hot stat: Everton have scored just one open-play PL goal since 22 October.