Everton will host high flying Brighton and Hove Albion, who completed a hattrick of wins in the top flight for the first time in 37 years, at Goodison Park. All their wins came through an identical scoreline as they managed to eek out 1-0 victories. On the other hands, Marco Silva’s men haven’t done too poorly themselves as they have won three of their last five Premier League games. The two losses came against Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Toffees front men cut a sorry figure against the Red Devils, and we can expect some changes to be made. Brighton, as expected, would be defensively organised and the Merseyside club needs to make sure that they get an early goal to open the game up as the Seagulls have slowly turned into masters of winning by one goal and keeping a clean sheet. An open game would help the Toffees, and that would present them with a chance to score more goals.
Team News: There is no major injury issue for Marco Silva as midfielder James McCarthy is the only one who is unavailable.
Everton Predicted Lineup Vs Brighton
Formation (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Jordan Pickford is a no-brainer to start in goal. He is going to be protected by the centre-back pairing of Kurt Zouma and Michael Keane. Both of them needs to concentrate for the full game as Brighton can score against the run of play.
Down the left, new signing Lucas Digne has done well, and he is also a nailed on starter in the back four. Down the right, Irish fullback Seamus Coleman should start.
Midfield
Andre Gomes and Idrissa Gueye have kept Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies out off late, and we expect the two to start again in the middle of the park. With no midweek League Cup tie to contest for, there is no question of rotation in midfield.
Further forward down the left, we think Ademola Lookman should be given the go-ahead of Bernard. The Brazilian was found wanting against the Red Devils, and a home game against Brighton could be an excellent opportunity for Silva to unleash someone like Lookman.
Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson should start in the no.10 role, and he remains as one of the biggest threat in the attacking third. Theo Walcott is expected to keep his place down the right, but he needs to deliver the goods soon for his manager.
Forward
Richarlison has struggled a bit when he has started up front, but we expect Silva to persist with him as the likes of Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert Lewin haven’t been too useful either.
