Prediction: Brighton vs Everton

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to build off of their morale-boosting victory last weekend, Everton will make the trip to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, despite putting in a season-best display and picking up a famous 3-0 victory over Tottenham prior to the international break, the South Coast outfit have come crashing back down to earth. Throwing away a one-goal lead and watching Aston Villa snatch all three points last weekend, Graham Potter’s men have struggled with some glaring inconsistencies. Now losing three of their last four matches across all competitions, the former Swansea boss sees his men hold just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone. With their victory over Spurs earlier in the month their only Premier League victory in their last eight appearances, fans around East Sussex are desperate for the Seagulls to find some much-needed improvements on home soil. Saturday’s hosts have won just one of their last nine top-flight matches at the Amex, a run that stems back to the 2nd of March.

Team News

Brighton are guaranteed to be without Jose Izquierdo and Bernardo, with both players set to be out for at least another month due to knee injuries. Midfielder and new signing Aaron Mooy misses out as well after the Australian picked up a red card during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Everton

As for the visitors, while Everton might still remain some way off the start to the season that they would have been hoping for, Marco Silva will be desperate for his side to build off of their victory last weekend. Picking up a 2-0 win over West Ham at Goodison, the former Watford boss saw his men bring to an end their four-match Premier League losing run. Securing a route out of the drop zone, fans on Merseyside will now be looking for the Toffees side to find some much-needed success on their travels. Everton have lost their last three matches on the road and have now failed to win any of their last seven top-flight matches away from Goodison. Even more worrying for the summer big spenders, the Blues have scored just a single away goal in almost 400 minutes of action. It should also be noted that the last time Everton made the trip to the Amex they suffered a 1-0 defeat back in December.

Team News

For Everton, Silva faces a wait until the last minute to determine the fitness of Delph, while Morgan Schneiderlin looks primed for a return to action.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met back in December, Brighton came away with a 1-0 win.
• Everton have scored just one goal in their last four Premier League matches on the road.
• Brighton have won just one of their last nine Premier League matches at the Amex.
• Everton have lost their last four matches away from Goodison and have failed to win any of their last nine top-flight away matches.
• Three of the previous four meetings between the two sides have seen under 2.5 goals at full-time.

Conclusion

While Everton may have picked up a much-needed victory last weekend, Saturday’s contest at the Amex has the makings of a matchup that should prove to be a scrappy encounter. With the Blues so famously struggling with their performances away from Goodison, particularly in the final third, chances could come at a premium. A contest that has seen just one of their last four meetings end with over 2.5 goals at full-time, we’re backing another low-scoring matchup this weekend.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Bet365