Brighton and Hove Albion vs Everton
Date: 12/04/2021
K/O: 20:15
Venue: Amex Stadium
Referee: Darren England
TV: Sky Sports
Brighton and Hove Albion entertain Everton on Monday evening with both sides looking to kick-start a strong end to injury-hit seasons.
The Toffees’ Champions League challenge has taken a dent following a run of just one point from their last three games, while Graham Potter’s Seagulls remain just six points clear of danger at the bottom despite playing excellent football for most of the campaign.
Everton won the reverse fixture in October, goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina and a brace from James Rodriguez helping Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a 4-2 victory at Goodison Park.
A win could prove priceless for either team, Brighton potentially moving nine points clear of the relegation places while Everton could move to within four points of fourth place Chelsea with a game in hand.
Team News
Brighton
Seagulls fans will be delighted to hear about the impending returns of Adam Webster, Dan Burn, Florin Andone and Aaron Connolly, though the quartet may not be ready to feature on Monday. Tariq Lamptey and Solly March remain out for the season, though Percy Tau could be available following a period of quarantine after the international break.
Robert Sanchez is set to continue in goal, though the availability of Webster and Burn may cause changes at the back for the Seagulls. Lewis Dunk appears the only certain starter, with Ben White and Joel Veltman also options in the back three in addition to the returning duo. Burn also remains an option at left wing back, though Jakub Moder has performed impressively in that role in recent games and may retain his place.
Graham Potter again faces several selection headaches in midfield, with Pascal Gross, Adam Lallana and Yves Bissouma all facing pressure from fringe players Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Davy Propper, Steven Alzate and Alexis Mac Allister. Leandro Trossard has impressed in the number 10 role recently and is set to continue.
With Andone and Connolly unlikely to feature – let alone start – on Monday, Danny Welbeck and Neal Maupay look set to continue their partnership in attack.
Everton
Carlo Ancelotti has deployed a back three in recent weeks and is expected to persist with that formation on Monday, though he will have to make at least one change from the draw with Crystal Palace with Andre Gomes injured. Abdoulaye Doucoure, Fabian Delph and Bernard remain out.
Jordan Pickford is nearing a return but will miss out against Brighton, with Robin Olsen set to continue in goal. Mason Holgate is pressing for a recall at the back, and could oust one of Michael Keane, Yerry Mina or Ben Godfrey, while Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman appear certain starters at left and right wing back respectively.
Brazilian midfielder Allan faces a late assessment having returned to full training in the week, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jean-Phillipe Gbamin also pressing for a starting berth having featured from the bench against the Eagles. James Rodriguez is fit and expected to continue behind the attacking duo of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
Head to Head Record and Stats
- All-time H2H record (all competitions): Brighton 4-9 Everton (5 draws)
- Last 10 H2H record (all competitions): Brighton 3-5 Everton (2 draws)
- Everton’s last away win against Brighton came 38 years and three days ago (2-1 – First Division, 09 April 1983).
- Both sides have conceded the same amount of goals this season so far (38).
Predicted Starting XIs
Brighton (3-4-1-2): Sanchez; White, Dunk, Webster; Veltman, Bissouma, Gross, Moder; Trossard; Maupay, Welbeck
Everton (3-4-1-2): Olsen; Keane, Mina, Godfrey; Coleman, Davies, Allan, Digne; Rodriguez; Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison
Score Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Everton
Everton looked better with James Rodriguez back in the team but still failed to put away a Palace side that was there for the taking. Brighton are in a much more confident mood despite losing against Manchester United last weekend, but I can see this one ending all square.
