Brighton v Everton preview: Team news, head-to-head, line-ups, predictions
Everton travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday to take on Brighton as they look to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League
David Moyes got his first victory since returning as Toffees manager against Tottenham on Sunday (19 January) as his side ran out 3-2 winners at Goodison Park.
However, the gap between the Blues and the relegation zone remains just four points, meaning they will have to get a string of results going to keep themselves out of danger.
Preview
The Toffees had a difficult start to the campaign and, as a result, new owners The Friedkin Group made the decision to sack Sean Dyche and bring Moyes back to Goodison Park.
After getting three points against Spurs, there may be some increased confidence in the Toffees’ ranks, which could help them coming into the game.
A number of players looked levels above what they have shown throughout the campaign so far, suggesting the managerial change in Merseyside is what was needed.
After suffering with a poor run of form, Brighton have got themselves back on track and come into this game unbeaten in six Premier League games meaning they won’t be an easy opponent to overcome.
Sitting just four points away from the top six, the Seagulls will also be keen to keep their good form up in the hope of finishing as high up the table as possible this term.
Form Guide (Premier League)
Brighton: WWDDD
Everton: WLLLD
Head-To-Head (Premier League)
Everton 0-3 Brighton (17 August, 2024)
Brighton 1-1 Everton (24 February, 2024)
Everton 1-1 Brighton (4 November, 2023)
Brighton 1-5 Everton (8 May, 2023)
Everton 1-4 Brighton (3 January, 2023)
Team News
Everton will be hoping to have Dwight McNeil available to them again before too long as he is returning from a knee injury. Meanwhile, James Garner and Seamus Coleman could be available too.
However, Moyes will be unlikely to want to rush any of his players back before necessary with everyone having a part to play in their bid for survival this term.
Both Brajan Gruda and Jack Hinshelwood could return for the Seagulls against Everton.
However, they will remain without the likes of Evan Ferguson, who has been linked with a move to Goodison, as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Predicted lineups
Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, Ayari, Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma, Welbeck.
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gueye, Lindstrom, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin
Prediction – Brighton 2-1 Everton
Although the Blues will be desperate to get another win under their belts under Moyes’ management, they are facing a Brighton side in solid form and who are at home.
The Toffees have shown their defensive abilities throughout the campaign so it’s not likely they will concede too many but this could serve as a sobering reminder that there is plenty of work still to be done on Merseyside.
In other Everton news, a Toffees star admits it was a “ruthless” decision to sack Sean Dyche.
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