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By @ed_mcintyre98.
Wednesday night sees Leeds United host Everton at Elland Road, with the Whites looking to pick up a third straight top-flight win for the first time since New Year's Day 2003.
Leeds will be full of confidence heading into the game after securing back-to-back wins with an impressive 3-1 victory away at high-flying Leicester City on Sunday.
Despite an early set-back when Harvey Barnes opened the scoring for the Foxes, Leeds United showed their class with Patrick Bamford playing a neat through ball for Stuart Dallas to equalize just 127 seconds after falling behind.
Patrick Bamford put Leeds ahead in the second-half when he drilled the ball into the top corner to grab his 11th Premier League goal of the season.
The striker is now just four goals away from equalling Mohamed Salah's tally of 15.
Bamford then capped off a brilliant performance when he unselfishly set Jack Harrison up for the third, securing Leeds their first win over Leicester since November 2012 and only their second-ever win at the King Power Stadium.
Leeds United are now the only Yorkshire club to win a Premier League game at the King Power Stadium.
It was a big three points for Leeds, instilling some much-needed confidence back into the players and fans. The win strengthens United's hopes of achieving Premier League status for next season, moving them 15 points clear of the relegation zone.
Marcelo Bielsa's side are now in good stead heading into Wednesday night's game which sees Leeds United host Everton at Elland Road in the Premier League for the first time since April 2004.
As for Everton, they were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at home by out-of-form Newcastle United in their last match. A brace from striker Callum Wilson was all the Magpies needed to cause a big upset at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelloti's Everton side were tipped as title contenders after their fantastic start to the Premier League campaign, however, their form has seen them drop down to 8th in the league table on 33 points, only four points above Leeds United.
Everton have picked up just seven points from their past six league games, but they have won their last two away league games.
The Toffees have been good away from home this season, registering a total of 19 points on the road. Only Manchester United, Leicester City, and Aston Villa have picked up more points on their travels this campaign.
Everton will be boosted by their new signing Joshua King, who will be eligible to play on Wednesday evening if he provides a negative coronavirus test.
The 29-year-old forward signed a short-term deal on transfer deadline day, arriving from Championship side Bournemouth. Carlo Ancelloti now believes his squad is "quite complete" after the arrival of the Norway international.
"We let Cenk Tosun go to Turkey, we let Anthony (Gordon) go to have experience and improve his knowledge at Preston and we needed a provider for the position upfront," Ancelloti said.
He added: "I think Josh King is a really good profile for us. We were looking at him in the summer. The squad is quite complete in this moment. I am satisfied with the squad we have at this moment."
Joshua King has not scored in a league match since, ironically, against Everton on the final day of last season when Bournemouth were relegated.
King had scored just three goals for Bournemouth this season, all coming in the FA Cup, but that does not concern Ancelotti: "We didn't sign him to have more goals. We signed him to use his quality. He is a powerful, fast player.
"I think with his quality he will improve our squad as he can cover all the positions upfront and has experience in the Premier League. I am happy to have him in the squad. We signed him to have more options. Of course we need goals but we have players who can score goals."
The arrival of Josh King though may have come too late in Everton's bid to secure a Champions League place, as recent results appear to have scuppered their chances of achieving Ancelloti's dream.
TEAM NEWS
Leeds United are expected to be without Rodrigo, who suffered a likely muscle injury at Leicester. Brazilian winger Raphinha is a doubt with a thigh strain, while top-goalscorer Patrick Bamford could also miss the game after sustaining a dead leg on Sunday.
The Whites are also without promising youngster Ian Poveda. The 20-year-old winger limped off during an under-23s game at Thorp Arch on Monday and it is unknown when he will be back.
Meanwhile, Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen is expected to replace Jordan Pickford, who hurt a rib while making a save during Saturday's game.
Everton are also still without midfield duo Allan and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, however, former Leeds player Fabian Delph is back in the squad after injury.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
- In the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in November, Leeds United picked up an unlikely three points, beating Everton 1-0 courtesy of Raphinha. The Whites will be looking to complete a league double over Everton for the first time since the 1990/91 season when they were also a newly-promoted side.
- On Everton's last trip to Elland Road in September 2012, they were defeated 2-1 by Leeds United who were in the Championship at the time. Goals from Aidan White and Rodolph Austin were enough to cause a shock upset, knocking Everton out of the League Cup.
- Everton have won just one of their past 37 top-flight trips to Elland Road, drawing nine and losing 27. That solitary victory came in November 2002, thanks to a goal from Wayne Rooney.
- Wednesday evening will be the 100th top-flight fixture between the two clubs.
MATCH INFORMATION
Leeds United vs. Everton
English Premier League
19:30 Wednesday 3rd February 2021
Elland Road
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