The two sides come into the game in contrasting form – Everton are winless in seven and have only scored four goals in that stretch, conceding 13 while Liverpool sit two points off the top of the Premier League table with eight goals in their last two games in the competition.

Liverpool are expected to dominate possession in the game, with Everton tending to sit back and soak up pressure in the hope of releasing counter-attacks.

Since their first loss of the season against West Ham, Liverpool have looked superb, scoring 10 in three games without reply.

The return of Andrew Robertson against Southampton at the weekend saw him showcase his fantastic on-field relationship with Diogo Jota.

Jota, Sadio Mané and Mo Salah lead the goalscoring charts in the Premier League at the moment – The Portuguese forward and Mané have seven goals to their name while Salah sits top on 11.

Liverpool are already outscoring Everton in the competition by a ratio of 2.5 to 1 while Everton have allowed almost twice as many goals.

Four of Liverpool’s players have netted more than Everton’s top scorers Demarai Gray and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who will miss the game through injury.

Everton will also be without Yerry Mina and Tom Davies for the match, as well as Mason Holgate who is suspended for his red card against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Andre Gomes is back in training and Richarlison is available for selection again after serving a suspension.

Joe Gomez and Naby Keita are still sidelined for the Reds alongside Roberto Firmino and Curtis Jones.

Teams

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Digne; Doucouré, Allan; Gray, Townsend, Richarlison; Rondon.

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Delph, Iwobi, Tosun, Gordon, Gbamin, Branthwaite, Dobbin.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Kelleher, Konaté, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, Williams, Morton.

Odds

Everton 13/2

Draw 4/1

Liverpool 1/3

Where To Watch

The game will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime at no extra cost for Prime customers.

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The match will kick off at 15:00 on Saturday, 21st August with Darren England as referee. The match will be shown live on Premier Sports ROI 1.

Leeds had a tough start to the 2021/22 season with a thrashing at the hands of Manchester United. Their squad was lacking some of their starters due to injuries and Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba ran rampant in the game, winning 5-1.

Bielsa’s team is expected to bounce back strong, this will be their first match at home in front of a full attendance crowd. Chris Wilder has previously spoken on the importance of Elland Road to their team, click here to read about it.

Everton, on the other hand, had a very important comeback win against Southampton in their opening game. After a mistake from Michael Keane put them behind, Richarlison lit up the game with a goal and an assist.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucouré also got on the scoresheet to win 3-1. This was Raphael Benitez’s first game in charge of them as he becomes the next manager to try to push Everton on to the next level.

Last season was an odd one for this fixture with both teams managing to win away from home. Both games were close affairs with the winners only claiming the games by one-goal margins.

Saint Domingo. pic.twitter.com/Y5avYUl0d2

— Everton (@Everton) August 14, 2021

Predicted Starting 11

Leeds United

Formation

4-1-4-1

Starting Team

Meslier (GK), Firpo, Cooper, Struijk, Ayling, Phillips, Harrison, Dallas, Klich, Raphinha, Bamford.

Injuries

Llorente

Everton

Formation

4-2-3-1

Starting Team

Pickford (GK), Digne, Keane, Mina, Coleman, Allan, Doucouré, Richarlison, Gray, Townsend, Calvert-Lewin.

Injuries

Gomes, Rodriguez, Gbamin, Kean

Betting

Leeds, being at home, are favorites for the game with odds of 11/8 to win.

A draw has odds of 23/10.

Everton are minor underdogs with odds of 19/10 to win.

Andrea Pirlo on Kalvin Phillips: "In England there's never been this kind of player. There have been great midfielders over the years with different skills. There's the boy at Leeds United, who's a bit of a regista, Phillips…"

The Yorkshire Pirlo gets his recognition pic.twitter.com/wMQDkLBOBC

— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) August 18, 2021

Score Predictions

This match will not be won easily, each team will have to dig deep to earn a score in this game. The Elland Road faithful may give Leeds an advantage throughout the game but it is hard to stop Everton’s strike force of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

Expect an entertaining game ending with shared points and a scoreline of 2-2.

Leeds 3-2 Everton
Premier League
19th December, 2001

Robbie Fowler scored his first goals for Leeds against us (of course) as we lost at Elland Road.

Our two goals were late consolations, including a stunner from Joe-Max Moore. #EFC #LUFC #LEEEVE pic.twitter.com/KVAkzVlBXt

— The Call of Everton (@callofeverton) August 17, 2021

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This match will kick-off at 15:00 today, 14th August in Goodison Park.

Everton will be playing their first game at home in front of a full stadium of fans in nearly a year and a half. The club had a very tumultuous start to the transfer window, losing their well-respected manager Carlo Ancelotti on short notice to Real Madrid.

Now the club looks ready for another attempt at finishing top 10 with a new head coach Rafael Benitez and new signings, Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and Joshua King.

Southampton have had a similar transfer window as they lost their main attacking threat, Danny Ings to Aston Villa.

The signings they have made so far do not seem like great replacements with Chelsea youngsters and Championship stalwarts some of their signings.

Neither of these sides will make a valuable challenge for the European places and in the Saints case, they may be fighting to stay up this year.

𝐖𝟑 𝐃𝟔 @Everton haven’t lost their opening match in any of the last nine #PL campaigns since a 0-1 loss against QPR in 2011/12#EVESOU pic.twitter.com/HhS4h9Jlzl

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 14, 2021

Predicted Starting 11

Everton

Formation

4-2-3-1

Starting Team

Pickford (GK), Digne, Keane, Godfrey, Coleman, Doucouré, Allan, Iwobi, Rodriguez, Townsend, Calvert-Lewin

Injuries

Gomes, Branthwaite, Gbamin, Kean

Southampton

Formation

4-4-2

Starting Team

Forster (GK), Perraud, Salisu, Bednarek, Walker-Pieter, Redmond, Romeu, Armstrong, Walcott, Tella, Adams

Injuries

Smallbone

Southampton's 2020/21 Premier League season by numbers:

◎ Position: 15th
◎ 12 wins
◎ 7 draws
◎ 19 defeats
◎ 47 goals scored
◎ 68 goals conceded
◎ Most goals: Danny Ings (12)
◎ Most assists: James-Ward Prowse (7)

Where will they finish in the 2021/22 season? pic.twitter.com/CGBMleVZT1

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 11, 2021

Betting

Everton are favourites with odds of 21/20 to win.

A Draw has odds of 11/5.

Southampton are the underdogs with odds of winning at 11/4.

Score Prediction

This is a transition period for Southampton who are starting the league without their talismanic striker, Danny Ings. With 34 goals in his last two seasons, it is hard to see the Saints replacing him with Che Adams and Nathan Tella.

Everton with Benitez will be full of vigor to impress their manager. Expect Everton to win this match 3-0.

Season 2021/22 Let’s go!!! @Everton pic.twitter.com/grnfQBzTTP

— Andros Townsend (@andros_townsend) August 13, 2021

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Leeds United have announced the ticket details for their Elland Road games. They have also stated changes that will come into effect starting with Everton at home in the Premier League.

Tickets for the Category A fixture against the Toffees went on sale this morning. Following a review of the clubs ticketing policy, seats will be sold to all 2021/22 My Leeds Members.

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Merseyside police are now investigating the incident, with further information ongoing.

STATEMENT | We can confirm police are investigating reports of a threatening banner left outside a residential address in Caldy today, Monday 28 June. Anyone with information is asked to contact us @MerPolCC with ref 21000449810 https://t.co/ZmM7PAkA1B pic.twitter.com/c4v3MXd0Qx

— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) June 28, 2021

“We can confirm police are investigating reports of a threatening banner at a location in Caldy today, Monday 28 June,” a Merseyside Police statement read.

“At around 7 am, it was reported that a banner made from bedsheets had been placed over a wall and bushes on a residential driveway, with wording which is thought to target football manager Rafa Benitez.

“If anyone has information about who produced the banner or helped to put it up, please let us know as soon as possible.”

Numerous images were uploaded on social media platforms Twitter and Facebook showing the banner, placed outside the Spaniard’s residence, reading ‘We know where you live, don’t sign’.

Another banner protesting against the appointment of Rafa Benitez. This banner is outside his family home where his wife and kids live. You may all have your opinions on his soon to be appointment but this is over the line and went too far pic.twitter.com/PkuXkCrYaW

— The Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) June 28, 2021

Benitez is on the verge of being the next Everton manager this week, replacing Carlo Ancelotti who left for Real Madrid.

The 61-year-old has been dismissive of Everton in the past, referring to them in 2007 prior to a game against Everton as a ”small club”, something that did not go down too well from the blue half of Merseyside.

His six-year stint from 2004-2010 as manager of rivals Liverpool has caused outrage amongst Evertonians, who are unhappy with the potential appointment.

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Everton took on Bright & Hove Albion in the Premier League yesterday and played out a scoreless draw. Despite Everton’s substandard performance, Coleman impressed on the night while starting as a right wing-back. He regularly bombed up the channels and at times looked Everton’s most dangerous player, while also assisting in defence time and time again.

After the match, Coleman was interviewed on Sky Sports and asked a number of questions following the performance.

One of which being: “Did injuries play a part?” as Everton were without several players for the match.

“We don’t want to be harping on about injuries, there’s plenty of other teams doing that,” said Coleman in response.

“It’s part and parcel of the Premier League season. You know, injuries happen and unfortunately for us, we’ve missed quite a few lads through injury.

“But as the manager touched on before hand, he never complains about the players that are out, it’s about the players that are playing.”

Jamie Carragher, obviously thinking Coleman was taking a dig at Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool, replied: “You’re not talking about Liverpool there with injuries, are you Séamus?”

Coleman smirked in response and quipped: “No, that might be in your head, Jamie.”

It’s a well-known fact at this stage that Liverpool have had their injury problems this season, particularly at the back.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joël Matip have all been missing for large portions of the season, resulting in Liverpool completing deals for centre-backs Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak in January.

Liverpool play Real Madrid in a vital Champions League quarter-final second leg tomorrow, having lost the first leg 3-1.

“We don’t want to be harping on about injuries. There’s plenty other teams doing that.”

“There’s no question we need to finish in the European places. If not, it’s been a massive disappointment.”

Seamus Coleman reacts to Everton’s battling point against Brighton… pic.twitter.com/Oy9eO37jS6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) APRIL 12, 2021

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Chelsea have looked a different, rejuvenated team since Thomas Tuchel took the reins of the club in January.

Tonight, his side faced an Everton side which was just one point behind in the table prior to the game. Now though, Chelsea’s advantage over the Merseyside club has been extended to four points after a convincing 2-0 victory.

Chelsea took the lead 31 minutes into the game as an unfortunate Ben Godfrey deflection from a Kai Havertz shot directed the ball into the Everton net. Initially, it looked like Havertz had scored his second Premier League goal for the club but after inspection the shot was deemed to be going wide, meaning an unwanted own goal was credited to Ben Godfrey.

64 minutes into the game and Chelsea had the opportunity to double their advantage. Everton were unable to handle Kai Havertz up to that point and he proved a menace once again as he rounded Jordan Pickford before being taken out by the Everton goalkeeper.

Jorginho stepped up to take the penalty and he sent the keeper the wrong way, slotting coolly into the bottom left.

No further goals were scored as Chelsea dominated on their way to an important 2-0 victory.

“We deserved to win. It was a very difficult first half but we controlled it completely. Second half we increased our level and had a lot of dangerous attacks,” Thomas Tuchel said on the result.

“You see the quality of the players and the club, it is a pleasure to be on the sideline and work with the team. Everybody in the club is doing everything to compete at this level.”

In other news, Séamus Coleman was yet again absent from the squad.

The Ireland captain has not featured for Everton since their Merseyside derby against Liverpool last month. He appears to be injured but the severity of said injury is unknown just yet.

Ancelotti provided an update on Coleman’s fitness and others at the beginning of the month but there have been no further updates of note since: “They had little problems in training this week so I prefer to give them a rest to be ready for the next game. We have a busy schedule. We play again on Thursday but they will recover soon. They are really light problems.”

Ireland’s World Cup qualification squad is set to be announced within the next week or so. If Coleman was to miss out, it’d be a massive blow to the team.

Coleman has not featured for his country since he received a red card against Switzerland in October 2019.

Two goals. Three points!

UP THE CHELS! #CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/VWBFLGGrb4

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) MARCH 8, 2021

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The best known link between the Merseyside club and the Bit O’Red was the 2009 signing of the then 20-year-old Seamus Coleman. The Killybegs native has went on to make over 300 first team appearances for the Premier League side. He has also captained both club and country during this time.

However, it is far from the first link between the two side. In 1939 Everton’s record goalscorer William Ralph “Dixie” Dean signed for Sligo Rovers. In his brief cameo at the club he scored ten goals in seven games. His five goals in a 7-1 win over Waterford is a club record that still remains to this day. He also picked up an FAI cup runners-up medal. Rovers losing out to Shelbourne 1-0 after a replay in that years cup final.

This formal partnership between Everton and a League of Ireland club is not a first by any means. In 1995 Home Farm agreed a deal wereby they were sponsored by the Merseyside giants. In return Home Farm Everton, as they were know for four seasons, gave Everton first refusal on their academy players. Future Irish international Richard Dunne was signed by the club as a result of this deal.

This partnership may pave the way for similar tie-ups between League of Ireland clubs and top flight English teams. New employment regulations resulting from Brexit preclude English sides from signing u-18 players. Ireland may act as a base for Premier league sides to train young talent. One would hope this would have a beneficial effect on opportunities for young Irish players and in the long run the national side.

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Everton’s match against Manchester City which was scheduled for tonight has been called off due to positive Covid-19 cases in the City squad. The Premier League decided to cancel the fixture after medical advice following the surge in cases.

Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus tested positive on Christmas day – along with two others –  and it now appears that more cases have infiltrated the City camp. There are now a large number of cases within the squad. The players infected with the virus remain unnamed for the time being – bar Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus.

City are scheduled to face Chelsea at the weekend. The city players returned to training on Wednesday following a short period of isolation.

The Manchester City vs. Everton match has been rescheduled to take place at the end of the season.

NEWS | This evening’s game at Everton has been postponed.

#ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re https://t.co/ZLnMhyIloa

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 28, 2020

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Premier League football resumed today after a short period of rest over the Christmas period. 6 matches were played on an action-packed St. Stephen’s/Boxing day. Here’s how they played out.

LEICESTER CITY vs. MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United travelled to the King Power Stadium in today’s early kick off. Much was at stake with the teams sitting 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 23^rd minute to give his side the lead. That goal would have come as a relief to Rashford, having missed a sitter earlier in the match. He was played through by a Bruno Fernandes touch before finishing expertly into the bottom corner while one on one with Kasper Schmeichel.

The lead wasn’t to last long though. Leicester struck back in the 31^st minute with Harvey Barnes providing the equaliser. He was given the ball after Manchester United lost the ball in their own half before driving towards goal and unleashing a powerful shot into the corner from just outside the box. Bruno Fernandes was partly to blame for the goal. The Portuguese international was closed down inside the Manchester United half which led to the turnover.

Manchester United were arguably the better side in the second half having created more chances than their opposition. Their pressure finally paid off in the 79^th minute. This time Fernandes turned from provider to finisher as he slotted past Schmeichel in the box. Substitute Edinson Cavani played a key part in the goal as he carried the ball under pressure and timing his pass into Fernandes to perfection.

United are no slouches when it comes to goalscoring but their defensive frailties have been exposed one too many times this season. Leicester didn’t create too much in the second half but all they needed was one chance. That’s all they needed as they equalised again in the 85^th minute. Ayoze Perez pulled back a brilliant low cross to Jamie Vardy who scored – or at least thought he did – with a low finish. Unfortunately for him, and unfortunately for Axel Tuanzebe, the goal was credited as an own goal after coming off the Manchester United defender.

The match finished 2-2 as both teams failed to pick up what could have been a vital 3 points. Liverpool fans would have been satisfied with the scoreline as neither team could close the gap on the title challengers.

FULHAM vs. SOUTHAMPTON

Fulham started the season poorly but have showed steady signs of improvement over the last few weeks. Southampton, on the other hand, have surpassed all expectations so far this season and currently sit in 7^th. The two teams faced each other in one of two 3 o’clock kick-offs today.

Shane Long started his first game of the season, but he was unable to influence the game all that much in the first half. In fact, neither team really got going. Only 3 shots were produced in the first 45 minutes, the lowest tally of any Premier League game so far this season.

The second half produced far more entertainment than the first. That said though, the match ended scoreless. That would probably not have been the case in the pre-VAR era.

Shane Long was the first to put the ball in the back of the net but his goal was ruled offside. He was also involved in Southampton’s second disallowed goal. He played through Che Adams who crossed into the feet of Theo Walcott who then applied the finish. The goal looked legitimate but upon inspection from VAR, Che Adams was just offside in the build-up.

Fulham had their fair share of chances in the second half, also. Ivan Cavaleiro had Fulham’s best chance of the game, by far. He was in space as Antonee Robinson’s perfect cross found his head but he was unable to keep his header down. His chance was similar to Marcus Rashford’s sitter in the Manchester United – Leicester game.

The match finished 0-0 at Craven Cottage. Neither teams could complain too much, both were evenly matched throughout.

ASTON VILLA vs. CRYSTAL PALACE

Aston Villa faced Crystal Palace in the other 3 o’clock kick-off. Aston Villa have been one of the surprise packages of the season so far. Their early season form was particularly impressive, they’ve dipped slightly since but still remain in the top half of the league.

Jack Grealish has been the talk of the town in recent weeks but it was Bertrand Traore who opened the scoring for Aston Villa. He got on the end of a rebound in the 5^th minute to make it 1-0 to Villa.

Crystal Palace had a potential penalty shout in the 23^rd minute after a Matty Cash challenge on van Aanholt. The issue was taken to VAR but after a period of deliberation the decision was no penalty.

Tyrone Mings made life a lot harder for Villa just before half time. The centre back picked up his second yellow of the night to reduce Villa to 10 men going into the second half.

The red card didn’t seem to effect Aston Villa all that much. In fact, they doubled their lead in the 67^th minute. Kourtney Hause scored this time from another rebound. This time Ollie Watkins hit the bar from a header and Hause reacted quickest to make it 2-0.

Villa all but wrapped up the game in the 76^th minute. Anwar El Ghazi stepped up to the plate this time with a scorcher from Anwar El Ghazi. He took a first time shot which hit the far post and went into the net.

The match finished 3-0 to Aston Villa. The Villains currently sit 6^th in the table, but could move up to as far as 2^nd with their game in hand.

ARSENAL vs. CHELSEA

Arsenal took on Chelsea at 5:30 in a vital London derby at both ends of the table. Mikel Arteta in particular needed a win to ease the ever-increasing pressure on his shoulders. Arsenal won just 1 game in their previous 10 Premier League games leaving the Gunners in 15^th. Chelsea, on the other hand, needed a win to pressurize Liverpool at the top of the table. A loss for Chelsea would leave them 9 points behind the leaders, depending on the Liverpool result tomorrow.

Arsenal started the game better than Chelsea before fading for a period. They did, however, contain Chelsea, not allowing any big chances to be created. Rob Holding in particular was impressive during that period, marshalling Timo Werner time and time again.

Their defensive quality paid off in the 35^th minute when Kieran Tierney was fouled in the box leading to an Arsenal penalty. Alexandre Lacazette stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake from the spot to give Arsenal an unexpected lead.

That goal gave Arsenal a newfound confidence. They began to control the game and looked more dangerous in the final third than they have been in recent months.

They doubled their lead just before half time from another dead ball situation. Bukayo Saka won a free kick from well outside the box. Granit Xhaka stepped up to take and the distance of the free kick was no problem for him as he rifled the ball into the top corner.

Arsenal held a shock – but deserved – 2-0 lead going into half time. Frank Lampard, clearly not happy with his team’s performance, brought on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jorginho for the second half.

Chelsea’s substitutions did nothing to disrupt Arsenal’s momentum. In fact, Arsenal were arguably better in the second half.

They made it 3-0 in the 56^th minute through Bukayo Saka. Although *probably* intended as a cross, Saka lofted the ball over Mendy into the Chelsea goal from an acute angle. He deserved a goal for his performance on the night, whether it was deliberate or not.

Chelsea got a goal through Tammy Abraham in the 85^th minute to give them the slightest bit of hope. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but after deliberation from VAR the goal was deemed to be legitimate.

Chelsea were given a chance to make it 3-2 in the 90^th minute as Pablo Mari gave away a penalty. Jorginho, normally so reliable from the penalty spot, stepped up to take it. Bernd Leno had other ideas as he saved from an unusually weak Jorginho penalty to relieve the increasing pressure.

Arsenal’s defence stood firm thereafter as the match finished 3-1 to the Gunners. The win was much needed, particularly from Mikel Arteta. This evening’s result could be the catalyst to a much-needed winning run for Arsenal.

SHEFFIELD UNITED vs. EVERTON

Sheffield United had picked up just 2 points all season, meaning a win is much needed at this stage of the year. They took on high flying Everton in one of two late kick-offs. Contrastingly, Everton have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season finding themselves in 4^th prior to the match.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the best chance in a lacklustre first half. He brilliantly controlled Michael Keane’s long pass before taking the shot on the volley which went just wide of the post. It would have been one of the goals of the season had it gone in.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half. Both teams struggled to create opportunities with the final ball being especially poor.

It took until the 79^th minute for either team to get a shot and target. Unfortunately for the struggling Sheffield United, that shot resulted in an Everton goal. Gylfi Sigurdsson finished accurately into the bottom corner after some neat interplay in the box involving Bernard and Doucoure.

The match finished 1-0 to Everton in a match of few chances. Sheffield United’s winless run continues as they sit bottom of the league while Everton move up to 2^nd, just behind their rivals Liverpool.

MANCHESTER CITY vs. NEWCASTLE

The odds were firmly stacked against Newcastle as they took on a Manchester City team stacked with quality, despite a less than impressive start to the season. Newcastle’s confidence would have also taken a hit on Tuesday given their elimination from the EFL Cup at the hands of Brentford.

City, as expected, opened the scoring in the 14^th minute. Raheem Sterling should receive huge credit for the goal as he evaded a number of defenders in the box before squaring to Ilkay Gundogan who applied the finishing touches.

Manchester City largely controlled much of the remainder of the half after the goal. Kevin De Bruyne had a great chance to make it 2-0 after a Man City break but his shot from close range was saved well by Karl Darlow.

Newcastle still had reason to believe going into the second half with the scoreline at 1-0. City were far from their best, despite controlling much of the half.

That hope quickly faded away, though, as City made it 2-0. Ferran Torres tapped it in from close range after Fernandez’s block/clearance fell straight to his feet. Joao Cancelo did brilliantly in the build up to create the goalscoring opportunity.

Raheem Sterling, although a very capable goalscorer, is inclined to miss the odd sitter. He had a nearly unmissable chance to make it 3-0 in the 59^th minute but he failed to hit the back of the net. He blocked his own shot as his standing leg got in the way of a certain goal. Bernardo Silva had another good chance from the follow up but he was also unable to apply the finish.

Manchester City enjoyed near total domination in the second half and always looked good value for the win. The match finished 2-0 to City who move up to 5^th following the victory.

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