2025-26 Premier League: Week Two – Everton vs Brighton

Everton begin competitive life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion in a Premier League clash.

Victory will ensure Everton stay out of the relegation zone, whilst Brighton can go fourth with a win if Nottingham Forest lose to Crystal Palace.

 

Team News

Everton have no fresh injury concerns following their 1-0 loss at Leeds.

Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Vitaliy Mykolenko (knock) and Nathan Patterson (hernia) remain absent.

Brighton could welcome Jack Hinshelwood (knock) and summer signing, Tom Watson (fitness) into the team after the pair missed their 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.

Solly March and Adam Webster (both knee) are still ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Everton host Brighton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday 24 August at 2pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

Stat Attack

• Everton have lost just one of their last five meetings against Brighton (W2, D2, L1).
• This is Brighton’s first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although they are unbeaten in their last four away trips against Everton (W3, D1).
• Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma has scored in two of his last three away appearances against Everton.
• Everton have lost just one of their last nine home matches in the Premier League (W3, D5, L1).
• Brighton’s Hinshelwood has scored three goals in his last two appearances (W2) – which came against Liverpool and Tottenham in May.

 

Prediction

Having been comfortably outplayed in attack at Leeds, Everton did a superb defensive display to frustrate Daniel Farke’s Whites until an inept VAR decision cost them, which now has to be motivation for them here on top of the fact that this is their first competitive game at their new home stadium.

Brighton meanwhile were wasteful in their draw against Fulham and were deservedly punished for their sloppiness in injury time, amidst their overall dominance of the game so a more polished display will be needed if they’re to gatecrash the hosts’ new stadium celebrations.

I however do expect the home fans to create a thunderous party atmosphere which will only inspire their players but Brighton realistically have enough quality to snatch a draw.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Brighton

Result: Everton 2-0 Brighton