Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his side can return to winning ways following a poor performance against a second-string Liverpool team in the FA Cup last weekend.
The gulf between the two Merseyside rivals continues to grow, but the Toffees will be confident of claiming all three points when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on Saturday.
In fairness, Everton’s performances have picked up following Ancelotti’s appointment. After claiming back-to-back victories over Burnley and Newcastle, Everton only narrowly lost to Manchester City.
After lingering around the relegation zone for much of the season, the Toffees’ recent run has seen them move up to eleventh in the table.
Still, Brighton are just one point behind Everton in fourteenth. Following two defeats in their last seven league games, Graham Potters side are on the up.
The Seagulls secured a comfortable win against Bournemouth just after Christmas, before snatching a late draw against Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
However, like Everton, Brighton were dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend by Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
Interestingly, Brighton have actually scored more goals than Everton this season, as well as conceding on fewer occasions.
A late Lucas Digne own goal saw Brighton steal a 3-2 victory over Everton earlier in the season, while the Seagulls scarped a 1-0 victory in the meeting before.
But Everton have enjoyed more wins in this fixture down the years. The two teams have faced each other on a total of 16 occasions and Everton have claimed seven wins to Brighton’s four.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is Everton’s ‘one to watch’ this weekend. The in-form striker has netted five goals in his last six league appearances and appears to have found a new lease of life under Ancelotti.
As for Brighton, Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored in consecutive games over the busy festive period, so the Iranian will be full of confidence heading into this match.
So delighted to be able to help the team again today! Happy new year to everyone 🙏🏼💙 #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/nW7p7E8zMY— Alireza Jahanbakhsh (@Alirezajb7) January 1, 2020
So delighted to be able to help the team again today! Happy new year to everyone 🙏🏼💙 #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/nW7p7E8zMY
Key defender Dan Burn looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines following surgery on his shoulder, while Glenn Murray and Solly March are also doubts for Brighton.
Everton have no fresh injury concerns, but Andre Gomes, Alex Iowbi and Jean-Philippe Gbamin remain long-term absentees.
Both sides are moving in the right direction, but Everton are likely to make full use of their home advantage on Saturday.
Forebet predicts that Everton’s promising start to life under Ancelotti will continue with over 1.5 goals and a clean sheet for the home side.