Everton vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
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The Hill Dickinson Stadium hosts its first Premier League match as both Everton and Brighton seek to bounce back from disappointment in the opening round of fixtures.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo
Everton preview: Miserable opener, but new stadium awaits
Everton delivered a flat performance in their Premier League opener against Leeds on Monday, losing 1-0 to the newly-promoted side, although David Moyes was outspoken in his belief that their opponents should not have been awarded the penalty that won them the game.
Focus now turns to Sunday though, in what is the start of a new era as the Toffees play at the recently-built Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.
Brighton preview: Last-gasp pain
Brighton were mere seconds away from collecting three points from their opening game of the season against Fulham, only for substitute Rodrigo Muniz to equalise for the Cottagers in the dying moments at the Amex.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Seagulls, who had gone ahead through Matt O'Riley's penalty and had chances to put the game to bed.
Everton team news: Defensive trio missing
Recent arrival Adam Aznou trained on Friday but it could be too soon for him to make the squad, while Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykoleno and Nathan Patterson will play no part in this fixture.
A reshuffle in midfield and attack could be required should David Moyes hand Jack Grealish his first start, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall potentially occupying a more defensive role than he did against Leeds.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner; Iroegbunam, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Beto
Unavailable: Branthwaite (Injured), Patterson (Injured), Mykolenko (Injured)
Questionable: Aznou (Fitness)
Brighton team news: Hinshelwood back
Jack Hinshelwood is available again after missing out last weekend, while Danny Welbeck will hope for a start up front after Georginio Rutter was preferred against Fulham.
Julio Enciso is part of the injured contingent but the reports are that the Paraguayan is on the verge of a move to Chelsea in any case.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, O'Riley, Mitoma; Rutter
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), March (Injured), Watson (Fitness), Enciso (Injured)
Questionable: Kostoulas (Fitness), Tzimas (Fitness)
Everton vs Brighton prediction
Despite their disappointing defeat last time out, there will be a raucous atmosphere in this match given the fact that Everton are playing at their new stadium for the first time.
That could either galvanise the Toffees into putting on a show, or put unwanted pressure on a set of players who are not used to playing in these surroundings.
Brighton will have been stung by their late draw last week, and Fabian Hurzeler will be urging his side to use that disappointment as fuel to respond here.
This should ultimately be a competitive affair played with high intensity, and both teams scoring would not be a surprise.
Everton vs Brighton tip: Both teams to score
