Brighton & Hove Albion will welcome Everton to the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both teams separated by just three points in the Premier League standings. Currently positioned at 12th, Brighton aims to secure a win to break into the top half of the table, while Everton sits in 10th, looking to push for European football.
This season, Brighton has recorded seven wins, nine draws, and seven defeats over 23 matches. Since early December, their performance has dipped, with only eight points accrued from ten matches, marking them as one of the least successful teams alongside Burnley and Wolves during that period. Their recent outings have seen them secure a solitary victory and two draws, culminating in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Fulham last weekend, where they relinquished a one-goal advantage late in the game.
Defensively, Brighton has struggled, conceding 55% of their goals this season in the first half—an alarming statistic—while consistently finding themselves trailing at halftime, more than any other side in the league. Coach Fabian Hurzeler will be eager to address these issues as the season progresses.
Despite their challenges, Brighton’s home form has been relatively strong, earning 20 of their 30 points at the Amex this season, where they have lost just once in 11 matches. However, they have not beaten Everton in their last five league meetings at home, highlighting a daunting challenge ahead.
On the other hand, Everton is dealing with inconsistency, having won just two of their last eight matches—resulting in a mixed record of wins, draws, and losses. Their most recent performance included a frustrating draw against Leeds United following an impressive away victory at Aston Villa. Notably, Everton has struggled offensively, recording the fewest goals of any team in the top half of the table, but still remain a threat for European qualifications, being only three points behind Liverpool.
Recent defensive strides have seen the Toffees performing better on the road, boasting five clean sheets in their last six away matches. Manager David Moyes will be keen to build on this momentum, especially after Everton achieved a 2-0 victory against Brighton in their previous encounter.
In terms of team news, Brighton will miss key players Solly March, Adam Webster, and Stefanos Tzimas due to long-term injuries, while Diego Gomez is a doubt. Everton’s Jack Grealish may miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, but Michael Keane returns from suspension, bolstering their defense.
As both teams approach this crucial match, expectations are high. A draw could be a likely outcome, given their recent form and the history of closely contested encounters. The match will be essential for Brighton’s efforts to regain form, while Everton seeks to solidify its position in contention for Europe.