Boss Jesse Marsch named the same XI that started in the 3-0 win at home to Chelsea for Saturday’s assignment at Brighton but a disappointing Whites fell to their first defeat of the season via a 1-0 reverse.
But will Marsch now ring the changes after the first real setback of the new campaign?
The American head coach made four substitutions during the second half of Saturday’s defeat at the Amex, firstly withdrawing winger Dan James and midfielder Marc Roca as both Luis Sinisterra and Mateusz Klich were brought on in the 59th minute.
Midfielder Adam Forshaw then replaced winger Jack Harrison in the 74th minute and the final change arrived with eight minutes left as Joe Gelhardt took the place of Brenden Aaronson.
Marsch was still without Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo for the weekend encounter on the south coast in addition to longer-term injury absentee Stuart Dallas.
The Whites boss has since revealed that Bamford will be “really close” to making a return from a groin injury against Everton and that Cooper will have a late fitness test on a calf problem.
Ayling, Firpo and Dallas are all still out and this is the Leeds XI that we think will take to the field against Frank Lampard’s Toffees.
7. CM - Marc Roca
The Adams-Roca double pivot midfield axis was broken after 59 minutes against Brighton when Roca was replaced by Mateusz Klich who again impressed off the bench and is surely pushing hard for a start. But Marsch seems likely to build his team around the so far normally impressive Adams-Roca foundation and Klich might remain a better attacking option from the bench in the second half. Could be a close call though. Photo: Catherine Ivill
8. RW - Luis Sinisterra
United's new Colombian international winger continues to be handed more and more league minutes after injuring his hamstring in pre-season and Sinisterra added attacking verve to Leeds at Brighton when brought on just before the hour mark to replace Dan James. It's only a matter of time before he starts and that time might be now. Photo: George Wood
9. LW - Jack Harrison
Harrison was not at his best at Brighton but few if any bar Meslier were. Assuming Brenden Aaronson starts in the no 10 role, it's a case of two from three out of Harrison, James and Sinisterra for the two wide spots and Harrison would be expected to get the nod. Photo: Michael Regan
10. ACM - Brenden Aaronson
Even if Bamford doesn't make it, Marsch has the option of starting Joe Gelhardt with Rodrigo as the front two in whichever way round is desired but Aaronson caused Chelsea all sorts of bother from the no 10 role and it's not hard to envisage similar against Everton. Photo: Catherine Ivill
11. ST - Rodrigo
It's hard to see Bamford suddenly returning straight into the XI and in any case Rodrigo has made a strong beginning to the season with his four goals, albeit with a bit of a halt at Brighton. Starting Gelhardt upfront must also be very tempting but Rodrigo will surely get the nod up tops given his overall start to the campaign and the fact that Gelhardt was given just eight minutes at Brighton. Photo: Michael Regan