Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has backed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to make an immediate impact for Leeds United if his transfer is completed ahead of their season opener against Everton.
Leeds welcome Everton to a sold-out Elland Road in the first game of their return to the Premier League, following their dramatic promotion from the Championship.
Whilst Daniel Farke has been busy strengthening his squad in the close season, the Whites remain light in attack. AC Milan’s Noah Okafor is one of several candidates linked with a move to West Yorkshire.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks set to link up with Leeds on a free transfer, after his time at Everton was disrupted by injuries and a loss of form.
Now, Sutton has backed the England international to come back to haunt his former club in Leeds’ first game back in the top flight.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin backed for immediate Leeds United impact
Speaking in his weekly predictions column for the BBC, Sutton backed Leeds to pick up a point against the Toffees.
He also backed Calvert-Lewin to grab the decisive goal for the Whites as he looks to prove an immediate point against his former employers.
Sutton said: “Leeds boss Daniel Farke is a very underrated manager and his teams always carry a threat – it is their defence I am worried about this season.
“They will have a real go at Everton under the floodlights, and Elland Road is going to be rocking, so this is a tough opening for the Toffees.”
Before concluding: “If Calvert-Lewin joins Leeds in time, it would not surprise me at all if he scores on Monday and gets his new team a point against his old one – wouldn’t that be typical?”
Leeds have a poor recent record against Everton
If Leeds are to succeed in getting their season off to the best possible start with a home win against Everton, they will have to overcome a poor recent record against David Moyes’ side.
Whilst Leeds have a strong record on the opening weekend, they have won just once in the Premier League against Monday’s visitors since the halcyon days of the early 2000s.
| Leeds’ PL record vs Everton since December 2001 | Total |
| Won | 1 |
| Drawn | 4 |
| Lost | 6 |
| Home Wins | 0 |
| Home Draws | 3 |
| Home Defeats | 2 |
Since Leeds beat Everton 3-2 on the 19th December 2001, they have won once in 11 games, when Raphinha scored on his Leeds debut in October 2020, with six defeats and four draws.
Leeds’ 3-2 win in 2001 was also their last home Premier League win against the Toffees. Farke will be desperate to end this streak on Monday night.
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