Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Date: 03/11/2018
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Goodison Park
Referee: David Coote
Everton host an in form Brighton this Saturday as Marco Silva’s side look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford last time out. On the other side will be Chris Hughton’s side who were unbeaten throughout October, winning all three fixtures 1-0, with their most recent win coming against a well organised Wolves side.
Everton’s defeat to Manchester United ended the Blues three match win streak but fans will be looking forward to their sides return to Goodison Park as they look to get back to winning ways. Silva will also be looking to break down a stubborn defence that haven’t conceded a goal in three fixtures.
With this being said, there may be a need for a change in personnel with the Toffee’s starting line up come Saturday. Richarlison has featured as a lone striker three times this season and has struggled with the physicality of Premier League centre backs. The Portuguese manager may need to put the winger back on the left wing and provide Everton with a physical presence against another stronger defence.
Jordan Pickford has been Everton’s stand out player in recent weeks but they will be hoping that an outfield player can provide the excitement at Goodison this weekend. Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored six goals so far this season and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored four which may earn him a recall to the starting XI. The both of Sigurdsson and Calvert-Lewin will likely work alongside Walcott and Richardson to attempt to find a fall in an imposing Brighton defence.
Brighton will be looking to extend their winning run to four and move past Everton in the league at Goodison. Wins over West Ham, Newcastle and Wolves have seen Brighton earn three consecutive victories in the top-flight since 1981 and they will now look to push on and continue to surpass their fans expectations.
There is clearly a good feeling around Brighton this season as last weekends game saw a record attendance at the Amex with inform Glen Murray’s finish giving him his 100th Brighton goal. The Englishman now has six goals this season and the poacher will be a problem that Everton will be training for and looking to silence.
The Seagulls have really steadied themselves after a shaky start to their season in which they conceded in all eight opening fixtures. However, they have now set a club record for three consecutive clean sheets in the top-flight and this in part is due to goalkeeper Matt Ryan and the defensive partnership of Lewis Dunk and ex-Evertonian Shane Duffy. Despite their three clean sheets in three; the Brighton backline will have to be really sharp this weekend if they wish to continue their extraordinary run.
Head to Head
Brighton’s last league win against Everton was a 3-1 home in February 1982. Since then, they have failed to win in the two sides last four meetings.
Team News
Silva is blessed with a healthy dressing room for the trip of Brighton other than James McCarthy who will unlikely be risked this Saturday. He did appear for the u23’s during the week so Silva may feel it is necessary but with a fully fit squad, his inclusion is unlikely.
Brighton will only be missing Pascal Gross who had another injury setback recently after his initial injury in September. This will not worry Hughton at the time being though as due to good form, changes are unexpected.
Predicted Starting XI’s:
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Gueye, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Brighton (4-4-1-1): Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Jahanbakhsh, Stephens, Kayal, Izquierdo; March; Murray
Score Prediction: Everton 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton will provide Brighton with problems that they may not have faced in recent fixtures. Silva’s side have goals in them and if they play in a similar fashion as their last three wins then they should be able to end Brighton’s good form.
