Everton face injury challenges against Leeds

Editors weigh Everton teams for the trip to Elland Road as injuries bite and Grealish waits.

Everton lineup decisions for Leeds face injury blows and Grealish doubt

Everton travel to Elland Road to open the 2025-26 Premier League season with questions in several positions. Seven new signings have joined under The Friedkin Group, but injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko reduce options at the back. Jack Grealish has joined on loan, and Leeds United have added Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer after his summer exit from Everton, adding another layer of intrigue to the fixture. The match kicks off tonight at 8pm and Moyes must settle on a plan amid a widening gap in available fullback options and a still unsettled right wing spot.

Two writers lay out different starting XI ideas, illustrating how early-season disruption can steer tactical choices. The absence of Mykolenko and Branthwaite pushes Everton toward a pragmatic shape that could prioritise defensive solidity over attacking flair. Wing backs emerge as a possible solution to protect the box while maintaining width, a shift that signals a broader move away from a traditional flat back four. The debate also spotlights the pressure on new signings to adapt quickly and the delicate balance Moyes must strike between depth and cohesion in a tight kickoff week.

Highlights

Every early choice tonight could set a tone for the season and test Everton’s new dynamics.