Well, your weekly PRT starting XI prediction isn't off to the best of starts, but nevertheless, Everton are finally in action after a summer of preparations.
Here is the Everton lineup to face Leeds United, as selected by manager David Moyes:
Your Toffees to face Leeds! 🔵👊#LEEEVE pic.twitter.com/eopoUHTkZR
— Everton (@Everton) August 18, 2025
What's notable right from the jump is that Moyes has been forced to use a lot of players in the midfield, although at least one of them, likely James Garner, will probably be asked to play out of position.
What isn't clear is how this group will lineup, since the list of names comes in numerical order. Will Moyes deploy a straight back-four of Garner, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Jake O'Brien, calling back to the days when Ben Godfrey, a right footed centerback, was asked to play left back to varied degrees of success.
The other option is that the lineup functions more as a back three, with Keane and O'Brien flanking the Everton captain, with Garner playing the right sided wingback role. The only question there is who would be his opposite number, since there's no obvious candidate to serve as the left wingback.
In either respect, Idrissa Gana Gueye will be manning the deeper-lying midfielder role, serving as an additional defender and ball-winner to protect the defensive line.
A back four, then, feels the most likely outcome, with Moyes opting not to throw newly signed teenager Adam Aznou to the wolves for his first moments in the top flight of English football. The young Moroccon wasn't even named to the bench.
(It should be noted, although not taken as gospel, that the official Everton app lists Tim Iroegbunam at left back).
Notably on the substitutes list is Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish, who no doubt wasn't up to speed in terms of what Moyes wants him to do just yet, and who might be lacking the proper fitness levels to serve as a starter just yet.
The forward group of Beto up top, surrounded by a midfield attacking trio of Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Charly Alcaraz should be good enough to score today, but Grealish should be an option if one of them fails to get the job done.