Brighton & Hove Albion look to continue their winning start to the season as they welcome Everton to the AMEX Stadium.
Victory could send Brighton top for a few hours depending on results elsewhere, whereas Everton can leapfrog the Seagulls and go into the top four.
Team News
Neal Maupay is a doubt for Brighton as he recovers from a shoulder injury suffered during last Saturday’s win over Watford.
Joel Veltman (self-isolation), Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Dan Burn (knee), Enock Mwepu (knock) and Kjell Scherpen (ankle) are ruled out.
Everton could be without Alex Iwobi after the midfielder suffered an adductor injury during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win at Huddersfield, which saw Moise Kean red carded following a melee and suspended for this match.
James Rodriguez could return after self-isolating following a positive Coronavirus case.
Stat Attack
- Brighton are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings against Everton (W2, D1, L2), of which both wins and draw came at home.
- Everton are yet to win away at Brighton in the Premier League after four previous trips to the AMEX Stadium (D2, L2).
- No Premier League midfielder has made more interceptions in this season’s opening two matches than Brighton’s Yves Bissouma, who has won the ball on six occasions.
- Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had the joint most shots on target alongside West Ham’s Michail Antonio in the opening two rounds of this season, with six strikes towards goal each.
- Brighton drew 1-1 against West Brom in their only home match last season to be refereed by Jonathan Moss.
Prediction
Having enjoyed a solid start to the season, Brighton definitely will be relishing this clash because it gives them a chance to test themselves against quality opposition but they will definitely need to mix up their attack more, given their liking for playing on the flanks which will suit Everton’s style nicely.
Everton’s main strength however also seems to lie on the flanks based on their three games so far this season, with Demarai Gray proving a dangerous opponent to handle, yet their defence hasn’t exactly been impressive so this match could well boil down to who defends better across 90 minutes.
On that note, I feel like this has the hallmarks of a draw given Everton’s poor Premier League form away at Brighton but should hopefully be an entertaining contest nevertheless.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Everton
Result: Brighton 0-2 Everton