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“Leaked Premier League Fixtures leave Everton fans Disappointed. Here’s why…..
Leaked Fixture List Suggests Modest Opening Opponent for Everton’s New Stadium Era
With official Premier League fixtures yet to be released, a leaked list has surfaced online—albeit unverified—offering a sneak peek at the 2025/26 season.
For Everton fans, the leak brings a slight sense of anticlimax, as it suggests the club’s first match at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium will not be against one of the league’s traditional heavyweights.
Although expectations were high for a grand opening—perhaps against a ‘Big Six’ club—the leaked schedule points to Crystal Palace as Everton’s opening-day opponent.
While not the marquee clash many supporters had hoped for, the match will still mark a historic moment as Everton kick off a new chapter in their long-standing history at their state-of-the-art new home.
Fixture Release Still Sparks Excitement Despite Leak
Each year, the unveiling of the Premier League fixture list is a major event for fans.
It’s a time when supporters begin mapping out the season—highlighting derbies, crucial home games, and potential turning points.
But this time, the excitement has been tempered slightly by the early emergence of what’s believed to be a leaked schedule. While it may simply be an elaborate fan creation, it has certainly sparked discussion.
A high-profile opening opponent was widely expected to match the sense of occasion surrounding Everton’s debut at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Instead, the reported fixture against Crystal Palace may feel underwhelming at first glance.
But the Eagles, under Oliver Glasner, are no pushovers. Fresh off their first-ever FA Cup triumph and with a dynamic squad filled with young stars, Palace will still provide a real test.
Merseyside Derby Headlines Historic Home Debut Season
A major highlight of the leaked list is the first-ever Merseyside Derby at the new stadium, scheduled for the weekend of 8 November.
It promises to be a fiery and emotional encounter, and a chance for Everton to make a bold statement in their new home.
The return fixture at Anfield is pencilled in for 21 February, offering the Toffees another opportunity to assert their progress under returning manager David Moyes.
Palace’s European Woes Could Influence Everton’s Aspirations
Interestingly, Palace’s recent FA Cup win has created complications off the pitch. Despite qualifying for the Europa League, their participation may be blocked due to UEFA regulations.
The issue stems from part-owner John Textor’s involvement with French side Lyon, who also qualified for the same competition. UEFA rules prohibit clubs with shared ownership from entering the same European tournament.
Textor has not offloaded his stake in Palace in time to meet UEFA’s eligibility deadlines, and even if a sale happens soon, regulatory approval—especially from the Premier League—can take months.
As a result, Palace may be denied a spot in Europe for the 2025/26 season.
This saga offers a cautionary tale for Everton fans. While the club’s new owners, The Friedkin Group, have their own multi-club interests (notably with AS Roma), similar conflicts could arise if the Toffees reach European competition in the near future.
A Big ‘If’—But Not Impossible
With David Moyes back at the helm, Everton are looking to rebuild with stability and ambition.
While European qualification might seem a distant goal at present—especially with lingering financial issues and difficulties securing new signings—recent seasons have shown that rapid turnarounds are possible.
Few predicted Crystal Palace’s cup success or Nottingham Forest’s top-four push last year, especially after both clubs were hit with points deductions.
If Everton can resolve their PSR-related constraints by the end of June and execute a strong summer transfer window—particularly in attack—they could find themselves punching above their weight once more. But that’s a big ‘if.’
And if they do succeed? Well, it would be just Everton’s luck for Roma to qualify for the same competition, potentially throwing up the same UEFA ownership dilemma. Such is football—on and off the pitch, things can change in an instant.
