Everton host Brighton on Saturday at Goodison Park. The Toffees are looking to rebound from last weekend’s loss to Manchester United, while Brighton have been on a roll winning three straight matches.
Just one point separates the two teams in the table. A win could propel the victor toward the top six and European qualification. The two clubs have met just twice in recent time and those games came last term.
Everton took four points from six against Brighton outscoring their opponent 3-1. Everton picked up a 2-0 win at Goodison Park with Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert received a red card. Brighton have picked up five yellow cards to Everton’s one over the course of their two matches.
Marco Silva’s team has not been shy in front of goal. Everton have tallied 16 goals in the Premier League, the seventh most. Defensively, Everton have been vulnerable as they have allowed 14 strikes, the eighth most in the league. Nine of those goals came away from Goodison Park.
Everton’s home record has been sterling this term. They have tallied 10 points from 15 possible and possess a +4-goal difference. Three of their five home matches have ended in wins. It is Everton’s home form that has them sitting in mid-table as their away performances have left Silva wanting more.
Brighton, on the other hand, do not travel well. The Seagulls have collected just four points from a possible 15 away from home. Three of their five road games have ended in losses; however, they did pick up their first away win two weeks ago. Brighton have scored just three goals during their travels. The team has posted a –4-goal difference.
Chris Hughton’s Brighton have kept a clean sheet in their last three league matches. Those clean sheets came against the likes of West Ham, Newcastle United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Playing away at Goodison Park will be a completely different challenge for Hughton’s team. Not many goals have been tallied in Brighton’s last four matches. There have been fewer than 2.5 goals during that time. Brighton will be without injured duo Pascal Gross and Davy Propper as both are still struggling with knocks.
Everton have a lot to prove following their 2-1 loss to Manchester United a weekend ago. Although Everton lost and appeared flat against the Red Devils, they still had a chance to snatch a draw. Everton will continue their fine form at home and against Brighton with a win on Saturday.