Moise opens the scoring (with the help of the Ukrainian goalkeeper), then gets sent off for an elbow. Gosens and Gudmundsson seal the deal, with the return leg on the 28th Leeds-Everton prediction: only one defeat in the last 11 previous matches
The 100 points earned in the last Championship season allowed Leeds to return to the top flight after two years in purgatory in the second division. One of the key figures in the promotion to the Premier League was German coach Daniel Farke: the Whites proved to be a real goal-scoring machine, scoring an impressive 95 goals in 46 games.
Leeds shone especially in the second half of the season, losing only one of their last 28 games and finishing 10 points clear of the third-placed team. Now the challenge will be to stay up, which is by no means a foregone conclusion, given that in recent seasons the three teams that were promoted have very often been relegated just a few months later.
Everton, zero wins in preseason
The summer friendlies instill a certain amount of confidence: Leeds faced three clubs of the caliber of Manchester United, Villarreal, and Milan, managing to avoid defeat every time (three draws in a row). The first official match is the postponed Premier League opener against Everton, who have lost only once in their last 11 meetings with the Whites (not since 2020). The Toffees are looking to end a small negative streak: they have lost their opening game in each of their last three seasons, struggling even against newly promoted sides. While waiting for further reinforcements, especially in defense, David Moyes—who has been satisfied with the arrivals of Grealish and Barry—appeared a little concerned after a less than exciting preseason: Everton failed to win any of their friendlies (four defeats in six games, the last of which came a week ago against Roma).
Odds comparison
The “1X” sign is quoted at 1.32 on Lottomatica and 1.35 on Snai. The “Goal” sign is quoted at 1.72 on Lottomatica and 1.70 on Snai.
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Prediction
There are plenty of unknowns, given that both teams have changed a lot in the transfer market and their respective coaches will need time to fine-tune their tactics. Keep an eye on Leeds’ enthusiasm, though, as they should at least be able to avoid defeat in a game with less than four goals in total.
Probable line-ups for Leeds-Everton
LEEDS (4-3-3): Lucas Perri; Byram, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach; James, Piroe, Gnonto.
EVERTON (4-3-3): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall; Ndiaye, Beto, Grealish.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
in Reggio Emilia (the Franchi stadium is undergoing renovation)
There are positive signs from Stefano Pioli’s Fiorentina, who made their debut with a convincing 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Conference League playoffs thanks to Kean’s explosiveness, which forced goalkeeper Kudryk into an own goal, Gosens’ power, and Gudmundsson’s precision. Also noteworthy were the exploits of the usual De Gea. But it wasn’t all joy for the Viola against Polissya, as Kean was sent off at the end of the first half for elbowing Sarapii, who pulled the striker’s hair, but the Ukrainian was not sent off.
Stefano Pioli surprises by fielding a sort of 3-5-2 formation, leaving Dzeko on the bench in favor of Ndour, who takes his place in midfield alongside Fagioli and Sohm. Dodo and Gosens play on the wings. In defense, everything remains unchanged with Comuzzo, Pongracic, and Ranieri, while Gudmusson supports Kean up front. Polissya coach Ruslan Rotan opts for a classic 4-3-3 formation, with the two wingers Gutsulyak and Nazarenko standing out on the right and left respectively, with Filippov in the center.
Goal, miracle, and red card— On neutral ground in Presov, Slovakia, Fiorentina started strongly and had two chances in the first three minutes, first with a header from Pongracic and then with a shot from Dodo. However, it took the usual Kean to break the deadlock in the 8th minute, doing it all himself: he started from the left, skipped past two opponents and fired a powerful shot that first hit the post and then ricocheted off the unfortunate goalkeeper Kudryk. It was an own goal, but Moise’s merit was clear. Fiorentina played at a high tempo and showed brilliance, although Polissya began to emerge in the 20th minute and had a great chance in the 23rd minute when David De Gea was beaten. It was the Spaniard’s first save of the season, denying Filippov’s header from Andryievski’s cross. However, it was Fiorentina who doubled their lead in the 32nd minute thanks to a powerful and precise left-footed shot from Robin Gosens. Four minutes later, there was another good chance, this time for Gudmundsson and again for Kean in the 42nd minute. The game is going well, even if Kean’s naivety leaves the Viola down to ten men: in the 44th minute, the center forward reacts with an elbow to Sarapii and is sent off. The referee sent off the striker, but he and the VAR inexplicably let the opponent who pulled the striker’s hair go unpunished. The first half ended with a final chance for Nazarenko.
hat-trick by Gudmundsson— Pioli made no changes at the start of the second half despite being a man down. Fiorentina continued to dominate the game and in the 23rd minute, Gudmundsson made it 3-0 from Ndour’s assist. Immediately afterwards, the Icelandic player was replaced by Edin Dzeko, who made his official debut in the purple jersey. Gosens was replaced by Parisi, who immediately made his mark, while Sabiri (rejuvenated by Pioli) came on for Sohm. Finally, in the last few minutes, Fazzini and Viti came on for Ndour and Ranieri. Meanwhile, Polissya had two chances for Haiduchyk, who did not cause any particular problems for Fiorentina, while in the 43rd minute, Haiduchyk seriously tested De Gea, who skillfully deflected the ball for a corner. The result remained unchanged and, as Pioli wanted, the team secured their place in the next round ahead of the return leg, which will be played next Thursday at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia so as not to interrupt the renovation work at the Artemio Franchi stadium.