Everton vs Brighton Prediction & Betting Tips (17 August)

Unlike the previous season, Everton had a slightly more peaceful end to the season, finishing in 15th place. The Toffies have indeed shown very good things over the last 6 days, with only a defeat against Arsenal 2-1, a draw against Luton 1-1 but interesting successes against Nottingham 2-0, Liverpool 2-0, Brentford 1 -0 and Sheffield 1-0, during which they were able to show some defensive solidity. Besides this, we will note an early elimination in the FA Cup 1/16th finals but still in the quarter-finals during the EFL Cup. The preparation was against rather accessible teams, but it did not start very well with a draw conceded against Sligo Rovers 3-3 and two defeats suffered against Salford City 2-1 and Coventry 3-0. Everton will then face Preston North End and AS Roma.

Conversely, Brighton finished extremely poorly, going from a possible place to play in a new European competition, to a very disappointing 11th place. There is only one victory in the last 10 days, it was against Villa still 1-0, but defeats against Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Bournemouth, Chelsea and United in particular with a handful of draws. The course was correct, however, in the Europa League, with a fairly brutal elimination against Roma 4-1 on aggregate. To avoid a bad restart, and let the new coach implement his tactics, the Seagulls played 2 friendly matches which they won against Kashima 1-5 and Verdy 2-4 and they will try to maintain this dynamic against QPR and Villarreal. 

The Toffies saw their central defender Ben Godfrey leave for Atalanta, and young winger Dobbin for Aston Villa, but also Alli and André Gomes left free. In addition, senior midfielder Amadou Onana has also left to join the Villans. But they will still have arguments to put forward, between the arrivals of Ndiaye from OM, and Iroegbunam from Aston Villa and that of Jake O'Brien from Lyon, and the squad already in place which helped the team finish well. This is the case of the historic goalkeeper and holder of the Three Lions, Pickford, or the very good defenders Branthwaite who was on the departure but who could ultimately stay, or Mykolenko probably injured for the return of the championship. Higher up on the pitch, watch out for Abdoulaye Doucouré (7 goals) who is one of the key players, just like McNeil (3 goals, 6 assists), Calvert-Lewin (7 goals) from whom we expect more, and Neal Maupay returning from ready.

Brighton parted ways with their coach De Zerbi, he who brought them to C3 but whose effect ended up fading at the end of last season. The new coach Hurzeler arrives from St Pauli, having just moved up to the Bundesliga thanks to the young German (only 31 years old). He will have a quality squad at his disposal, with important executives like captain Dunk, the full-back Estupinan, the twirling Mitoma or the experienced Welbeck and Milner, valuable loan returns, notably Undav and Dahoud, interesting arrivals in the image of Minteh, Osman and especially Wieffer, and finally a golden youth with Verbruggen in the cages, Baleba, Enciso, Buonanotte, Ferguson, Sarmiento, Joao Pedro, Adingra. Note the departure of Gross towards Dortmund.