‘Uncomfortable’ – Stan Collymore shares his Everton v Brighton predictions
Everton kick off their 2022 with a home game against Brighton and Hove Albion where defeat could spell disaster for Rafel Benitez.
The Toffees’ are down in 15th in the Premier League with the Seagulls up in 10th and Stan Collymore believes things won’t get any easier for the Merseyside club.
Collymore wrote in the print edition of The People [2 January, page 58] that he sees things getting “more uncomfortable” for Benitez with a 1-1 draw his prediction.
Make or Break
Things aren’t desperate yet at Goodison Park but defeat on Sunday could see Evertonians start to sweat.
They know that one of Leeds United or Burnley will pick up points as the two face off at Elland Road so avoiding defeat against Graham Potter’s Brighton becomes even more crucial.
Benitez is boosted by the recent arrival of Ukrainian left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko who is available to make his Everton debut.
But it will take more than a new full-back to turn around Everton’s poor season so far.
They could be boosted by the return of star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has been absent since August which could see the Toffees’ become more free-scoring in front of goal.
But the England international’s return doesn’t spell the end of the injury issues at Goodison Park with Richarlison, Yerry Mina, Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend all unavailable.
Brighton are coming off the back of an impressive draw away at title-chasing Chelsea and they previously beat Brentford at the Amex as they battle to hold on to their top half position.
And they will go to Merseyside with confidence given Everton have the worst record of any Premier League team in the past ten games.
But could 2022 mean new year, new Everton?
In other Everton news, a “remarkable” new signing could be on the cards according to this reliable journalist.