Everton welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Goodison Park in an untelevised Super Sunday clash.
If Brentford lose elsewhere, victory would see Everton climb as high as 13th, whereas Brighton can go eighth with a win.
Team News
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to return for Everton after he missed their last 15 matches with a muscle then thigh injury, in a run stretching back to mid-September.
Vitaliy Mykolenko could make his Toffees debut if Rafa Benitez decides to name him in the matchday squad for this match, having joined Everton from Dynamo Kiev on New Year’s Day.
Lucas Digne, Demarai Gray, Fabian Delph (all illness), Salomon Rondon (hamstring) and Tom Davies (knee) could all feature if they pass late fitness tests.
Yerry Mina, Richarlison (both calf) and Andros Townsend (foot) are ruled out.
Brighton could welcome Leandro Trossard back after he missed their midweek 1-1 draw at Chelsea with a tight hamstring.
Jurgen Locadia (Coronavirus), Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) and Lewis Dunk (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Everton have lost two of their last six meetings against Brighton (W3, D1, L2).
- Brighton have lost all four Premier League visits to Goodison Park (L4).
- Everton have kept clean sheets in three of their last four meetings against Brighton.
- Three of Everton’s 21 league goals this season have been scored on the counter-attack.
- Graham Potter’s Seagulls have converted only 72 of their 224 shots onto target in the Premier League this season.
Prediction
Having not played in two-and-a-half weeks due to a Coronavirus outbreak followed by the midweek postponement of their game against Newcastle, Everton should be fully fresh for this match after finding their attacking spark in December despite defensive issues.
Calvert-Lewin’s return along with injury recoveries for Digne and Gray should also provide a boost because I am expecting Everton to come out on the attack, especially given that they’re currently at risk of getting dragged into the relegation fight.
Brighton meanwhile continue to play well but their biggest weakness lies in their finishing because they have huge potential to be pushing higher up the table, as seen by their dominance at Chelsea in midweek but only scored one goal from 18 shots.
Graham Potter’s Seagulls though do know that Everton currently possess defensive issues with just one clean sheet in their last 11 games, so taking their chances could be key despite their winless form at Goodison Park but the Toffees will cause them issues on the attack.
Either way, there is a lot of intrigue to how this game will unfold so I am expecting a proper battle here but if Brighton can score first, I fancy them to just kick on as long as they put their shots in the net.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Brighton
Result: Everton 2-3 Brighton