Everton Vs Brighton: Everton; the likely UNDERDOGS as prevailing issues set to cause setbacks..

Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Premier League Preview, Gameweek 1, 2024/25

The 2024/25 Premier League season is finally upon us, and what better way to kick it off than with a thrilling encounter between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park? This match promises to be an exciting clash of styles, with both teams looking to make a statement on the opening weekend.

For Everton, the summer transfer window has been a mixed bag. While they have managed to hold onto their star man, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they have lost key players like Amadou Onana, Ben Godfrey, and Lewis Dobbin. However, they have brought in some exciting new talent, including Jake O’Brien, who is set to make his Premier League debut.

Brighton, on the other hand, have been one of the busiest teams in the transfer market. With over £100m spent on five new players, they are looking to build on last season’s impressive campaign. New manager Fabian Hürzeler has been backed heavily by Tony Bloom, and it will be interesting to see how his team shapes up.

Team News

Everton will be without a few key players for this match. Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, and James Garner are all injured, which will be a blow to Sean Dyche’s plans. However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is available, despite rumors of a move away from the club. Neal Maupay also returns to the club after a successful loan spell at Brentford.

Brighton have their own injury concerns. Solly March, Pervis Estupiñán, Evan Ferguson, Bart Verbruggen, and Julio Enciso are all out, which will test the depth of their squad. Igor Julio and Tariq Lamptey may return to the bench, but Billy Gilmour is unlikely to feature due to a reported move to Napoli.

Likely Lineups

Everton: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gana Gueye, Doucouré, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye.

Brighton: Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Barco; Wieffer, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Key Players

For Everton, Jake O’Brien is one to watch. The young center-back has already impressed in pre-season, and his aerial threat will be crucial against a Brighton team that likes to play with width.

For Brighton, Yankuba Minteh is the player who could make all the difference. The winger has impressed with his first touch, pace, and eye for goal, and will be looking to cause problems for the Everton defense.

Match Details

The game will be played at Goodison Park, Everton’s home stadium, on Saturday, August 17, at 3 pm BST. Unfortunately, the game will not be televised live, but highlights will be shown on Match of the Day on BBC One at 22:30 BST.

Managerial Insights

Fabian Hürzeler takes charge of Brighton for the first time in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see how he sets up his team. With a strong squad at his disposal, he will be looking to make a statement against Everton.

Sean Dyche, on the other hand, has a strong record against Brighton, having lost only four times in 20 matches. He will be looking to continue this run and get Everton off to a winning start.

Overall, this match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with different styles. Everton will be looking to use their physicality and set pieces to break down the Brighton defense, while Brighton will be looking to use their pace and width to cause problems for the Everton backline. It’s a tough one to call, but one thing is for sure – it will be a thrilling match to watch.