Both Everton and Brighton will be hoping for a winning start on Matchday One of the new Premier League season.
The Toffees finished 15th in the league last season, and although they would probably take avoiding relegation again, Sean Dyche will look to build on things to make this campaign a bit more comfortable.
Brighton, meanwhile, have a new manager in the form of 31-year-old German Fabian Hurzeler.
Match Preview
Everton recent form
Everton didn’t look great in pre-season as they were defeated by Coventry and Salford City and drew with Sligo Rovers.
They did defeat Preston and earned a draw versus Roma, though.
Everton injury news
Definite absentees for Everton are Nathan Patterson, Youssef Chermiti and Dele Alli, while there are fitness concerns over Michael Keane, James Garner, Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite.
Brighton recent form
The Hurzeler era began with four wins out of four in friendlies against Kashima Antlers, Tokyo Verdy, Queens Park Rangers and Villarreal.
Brighton injury news
Solly March, Bart Verbruggen, Evan Ferguson, Julio Enciso and Pervis Estupinan are out for Brighton. Joao Pedro, Valentin Barco and Billy Gilmour are struggling with niggles and might not make it.
Everton vs Brighton – who is the referee and VAR?
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long
Fourth official: Darren Bond
VAR: Darren England
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis
Everton – Player to Watch?
When he is fit, Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains Everton’s most important player. There are still rumours of a potential move away from the club before the window ends, though.
Brighton – Player to Watch?
With the likes of Ferguson and Pedro not fully fit, there will be extra pressure on tricky winger Kaoru Mitoma to deliver for the seasiders.
Both sides have a number of key players missing or not match fit for this one, so the most likely scenario for the opening day is perhaps a score draw.
Everton 1-1 Brighton
Both of the games between the clubs last season ended 1-1.
For all of the…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/everton-vs-brighton-preview-both-blues-hope-for-positive-start-to-new-campaign/5553
Author : editors@footballcritic.com (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-08-15 10:50:43
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