Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 15/10/2017
Kick-off: 13:30 (BST)
Match
Everton travel to the Falmer Stadium to square off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday and it goes without saying that the match is a must win for Toffees boss Ronald Koeman.
Despite spending huge amounts in the summer transfer window, Everton have failed to impress so far this season and their 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley has ramped up the pressure on Koeman’s shoulders.
Therefore, Everton need to get three points on the board as soon as possible but it will not be easy against a tricky Brighton & Hove Albion at the Falmer Stadium this weekend.
Everton Team News
The likes of Ross Barkley, Yannick Bolasie, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori and James McCarthy remain ruled out for Everton due to long-term injuries while Koeman also revealed that a number of his players returned back from international duty by picking up slight knocks.
It remains unclear as to who the players were but Everton should be able to field their strongest possible lineup. Jordan Pickford will start in goal behind the backline consisting of Leighton Baines, Ashley Williams, Michael Keane and Cuco Martina.
In midfield, Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin will be in the holding positions while the likes of Tom Davies, Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson will provide the creativity behind the lone man in attack.
Oumar Niasse started against Burnley last time out but Koeman could now well decide to hand the exciting Dominic Calvert-Lewin an opportunity to lead the line.
Probable Lineups
Brighton & Hove Albion (Probable XI): Ryan; Bong, Duffy, Dunk, Bruno; March, Propper, Stephens, Knockaert; Gross, Brown
Everton (Probable XI): Pickford; Baines, Williams, Keane, Cuco Martina; Gueye, Schneiderlin; Davies, Rooney, Sigurdsson; Calvert-Lewin
Last Meeting
09/04/1983 Brighton & Hove Albion 1 – 2 Everton
02/10/1982 Everton 2 – 2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Prediction
The last time Brighton and Everton squared off was way back in the 80’s and past records will clearly mean nothing heading into the clash. Brighton have looked impressive at home while Everton have struggled on their travels and as a result, the match is expected to be a very tight affair.
Everton have the stronger squad but the players really need to step up to the mark in order to claim the expected victory and relieve pressure off of the shoulders of Koeman.
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 – 2 Everton
