Overview
Before Everton's away match at Villa Park, few people believed that David Moyes' team could create a surprise. Aston Villa at that time had a streak of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions and was considered superior when hosting an Everton lacking many key players.
However, the team from Merseyside created a big shock when they won 1-0 right on the field of the Unai Emery army. Thierno Barry's beautiful goal in the second half not only ended Villa's impressive winning streak but also brought Everton their first victory in 2026 after 4 consecutive matches without a win.
3 points at West Midlands helps Everton temporarily return to the top half of the Premier League table, only 4 points behind the Champions League group. However, the round situation may push them down to the bottom 10 when direct opponents have not yet played.
Away form is becoming Everton's biggest foothold in the current period. They have won 4 and only lost one in the last 7 away games. On the contrary, the performance at Hill Dickinson's home ground still has many problems, as Moyes' team has lost 3 and drawn one in the last 4 matches.
However, with a team that often faces difficulties in the center forward position, Everton still shows significant improvement. As of this time of the 2025-2026 season, they have only had 3 matches without scoring at home, against Aston Villa, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
While Everton are waiting for their first home win of the new year, Leeds United are gradually successfully rebuilding Elland Road fortress. Fulham became their latest victim in last weekend's breathtaking victory.
In the first leg in September last year, Leeds once collapsed at Craven Cottage by conceding an own goal in injury time. But this rematch, the scenario reversed when substitute player Lukas Nmecha scored the decisive goal in the 91st minute, helping the home team at Elland Road keep all 3 points.
A 2-game winning streak in the Premier League, along with overcoming Derby County in the FA Cup, helps Daniel Farke's team likely close round 23 in a safe position, 3 points ahead of Nottingham Forest - the team currently ranked 17th - along with a goal difference advantage.
Since switching to a 3-5-2 formation, Leeds has shown a clear transformation. They have only lost one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, although this positive form has not yet helped the team win away from home in the Premier League for a long time.
In fact, Leeds has gone through 8 consecutive matches without a win when playing away from home, even though they themselves defeated Everton 1-0 in the opening round of the season, also thanks to Lukas Nmecha's late goal.
Personnel situation
Everton's two African Cup champions, Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, have just returned to the club's training center. David Moyes admitted that both need to undergo a medical examination before deciding their ability to participate in this match.
On the Leeds United side, Daniel Farke will be without the service of key defender Jaka Bijol, who is confirmed to be out of action for 3 to 5 weeks due to a hamstring injury.
The Slovenian player joined the injury list with Daniel James, while left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson had a problem with the groin muscle.
Expected lineup:
Pickford, Patterson, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Garner, Rohl, Ndiaye, Armstrong, McNeil, Barry.
Leeds United: Darlow, Justin, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Stach, Aaronson, Ampadu, Gudmundsson, Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin.
The match between Everton and Leeds United takes place at 3:00 AM on January 27 (Vietnam time).
