Leeds vs Everton Bet Builder Tips, Stats, Best Bets, Predictions

Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto was unsuccessful in his attempt to force a transfer to a Premier League side after Leeds’ relegation in 2023, and was forced to slowly reintegrate back into the side over their two seasons in the Championship.

The Italy international showed flashes of what he can do in his first season with Leeds in 2022/23, making 24 appearances in the Premier League, and now the 21-year-old has the opportunity once again to show off his talents in the top flight.

Gnonto averaged 1.16 shots on target per 90 in the Championship last season, a number that amongst regular starters ranks just behind Dan James and Joel Piroe. He finished last season strongly, bagging a goal in 3 straight games, and hitting the target in 4 of his last 5 in the league.

He will be deployed on the left again here, and up against an Everton side that looks short-handed at the back, and in front of an Elland Road crowd likely to be in full party mode, Gnonto looks to have every chance of testing the opposition goalkeeper here.

The striker position has been a problem for Everton for a number of seasons now, with their last productive spell from a number 9 coming from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and under Carlo Ancelotti. That feels like a lifetime ago, and the Toffees’ will be desperately hoping that new signing Thierno Barry is the answer to their prayers.

Barry, signed from Villarreal for €30m, comes into this game having had at least two shots in six of his last eight starts in all competitions, including a monster game against Real Sociedad in which Barry notched 10 shots.

The 22-year-old averaged 3.18 shots per 90 in all competitions last season, and although he is raw, he is certainly talented, and could be exactly what Everton need. The three behind Barry; Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Charly Alcaraz, and especially Iliman Ndiaye, should produce some excellent service for the right target man, and standing at 6’3, Barry could be exactly that man.

Capable in the air and on the floor, at least two shots looks easily achievable for the youngster against a newly-promoted side trying to find their feet.

Bayern Munich have made it clear that they were disappointed to lose Adam Aznou to Everton, which should be music to the ears of fans from the blue half of Merseyside. The 19-year-old was highly-rated at both Barcelona and Bayern, and should add some attacking thrust from full-back to aid the revamped forward line.

Aznou is a standout pick in the fouls won market, being more than happy to get on the ball and drive forwards. Available at 1.30, a price which is unlikely to stay so high as the youngster becomes more well-known in English football, he won 2.33 fouls per 90 in all competitions last season.

Coming into this clash, Aznou has been fouled in 12 straight games, including two games in which he did not start. Across the whole of last season, Aznou played 15 games, being fouled in 14, and winning at least one foul in all 12 of his senior starts.

He will be up against Dan James, who committed 0.76 fouls per 90 in the Championship last season, including 8 fouls in his last 7 league starts.

Our final pick sees us backing Charly Alcaraz to win a foul here. A livewire who may not always be the most efficient, Alcaraz is nonetheless very successful at winning fouls thanks to his direct style and willingness to take players on.

The Argentinian winger won 1.40 fouls per 90 in the Premier League last season, bettered only amongst first team regulars by Iliman Ndiaye’s 1.92. The 22-year-old won fouls in all 7 of his Premier League starts following his January switch to Everton, and with Jack Grealish now at the club competing for minutes, Alcaraz knows he will need to impress to keep his spot.

Playing off the right, he will be up against Gabriel Gudmundsson, who committed 1.54 fouls per 90 in all competitions for Lille last season, committing at least one foul in 6 of his last 8 league starts for the club. Up against a defender who commits plenty of fouls, we expect Alcaraz to win at least one here.