Brighton & Hove Albion continue their top-seven push against relegation-battling Everton at the AMEX Stadium.
Victory would see Brighton stay seventh in the table, whilst Everton will stay 17th but can move three points clear of the drop with a win.
Team News
Valentin Barco could be in contention for his Brighton debut after he joined the squad this week, following his move from Boca.
Kaoru Mitoma (back) is a doubt but Jack Hinshelwood (foot), James Milner (thigh), Joao Pedro (hamstring), Solly March and Julio Enciso (both knee) remain absent.
Everton could be without Vitaly Mykolenko after he suffered a knock during their 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace.
Seamus Coleman (illness) is back in contention but Arnaut Danjuma (ankle), Andre Gomes (calf) and Dele Alli (groin) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host Everton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday 24 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton have claimed eight points from their last eight league meetings against Everton (W2, D2, L4).
- Everton are unbeaten in three of their last five visits to Brighton (W2, D1, L2).
- Both teams have scored in their last four meetings with Brighton winning twice to Everton’s one victory, whilst they drew 1-1 on Merseyside in November 2023.
- Pascal Gross has played more minutes than any other Brighton player in the top-flight this season, having amassed 2,003 minutes in 23 appearances.
- Everton have conceded five goals without reply in their last three away matches (D1, L2).
Prediction
Given Sheffield Utd’s atrocious defensive ability, it wasn’t surprising to see Brighton comfortably thrash them once they gained control but Roberto De Zerbi’s didn’t underestimate the Blades to their credit – especially in the second half – as could of been easy to do once 2-0 up.
Brighton though can’t afford to have that mentality here because Everton are a resilient team defensively to break down, so patience and clinical finishing will be key here for the hosts if want another win.
Everton however need to be more clinical because they continue to be wasteful in open play which is a worry, because they can’t rely just on their profilic set-pieces to dig their way towards valuable points between now and end of season.
Brighton though will have plenty of confidence from that win at Bramall Lane but Everton seem to be sticking point as they discovered late last season, so I do expect this to be close but De Zerbi’s Seagulls should edge this if can keep the Toffees quiet at set-pieces.
Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Everton
Result: Brighton 1-1 Everton