Premier League journalist moots ‘deceptively difficult challenge’ for Brighton v Everton, Seagulls ‘may struggle’
Brighton may have a “deceptively difficult challenge” in their upcoming match with Everton, according to Premier League journalist Alex Keble.
The Seagulls travel to Goodison Park to take on the Toffees in their Premier League clash at the beginning of November.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side currently sit sixth in the league table, with Sean Dyche’s outfit sitting in 16th place with just two wins from eight matches.
“Going to Goodison Park could also be a deceptively difficult challenge,” Keble wrote for the official Premier League website (16 October).
“Brighton were beaten 5-1 by Everton towards the end of last season, when Sean Dyche paved the way for a low-block, quick-counter strategy that was copied by Villa in their 6-1 victory over Brighton earlier this season.
“Considering that Everton have an xG (Expected Goals) total of 14.7 this season, just 0.2 short of Man City’s, and have scored nine goals in their last four matches in all competitions, Brighton may struggle again.”
More heroics?
Nobody could have possibly predicted the scoreline on the south coast in the most recent meeting between the two clubs. The Toffees were massively struggling for confidence going into the match in May, with their opponents flying high.
Moreover, Brighton had won the first meeting of the season 4-1 at Goodison Park, meaning a home victory was almost certain as the campaign drew to a close.
But Toffees boss Dyche masterminded an astounding 5-1 win away from home, with his players blowing away their opponents in dramatic fashion.
Even in the early stages of the new season, the situation is already very similar, with the home side struggling at the lower end of the table and the visitors flying high in the European places.
The Seagulls do, however, have some hugely difficult tests before they make the trip to Goodison, with De Zerbi’s men taking on Manchester City and Ajax in the Premier League and Europa League respectively.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have a long way to go this season despite a positive statistic emerging, with the club second only to Tottenham.