Prediction: Brighton vs Everton

Verdict: Brighton win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their top-six charge on Saturday afternoon, Brighton will welcome Everton to the Amex this weekend.

Brighton

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they stormed their way to a 5-0 romp away at Sheffield United, Brighton will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Although Robert De Zerbi’s men might be seeking some welcomed Premier League stability, the Seagulls have their sights firmly set on clinching another top-six finish this season. Losing just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 17th – the former Sassuolo boss should be smelling a real opportunity here. Punching their Europa League knockout stage ticket over the festive period and suffering just a single domestic defeat at the Amex so far this season, Brighton are rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender this weekend.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Brighton will once again be without the trio of Solly March, Jack Hinshelwood and Julio Enciso on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, sustaining what appears to be a substantial thigh injury earlier in the month, attacking talisman Joao Pedro also remains on the sidelines this weekend.

Making just a single Premier League start since opening up 2024, Ireland international Evan Ferguson will be hoping for a full recall here. Crowned AFCON champions with the Ivory Coast on February 11th and bagging a brace away at Sheffield United last week, 22-year-old Simon Andingra could play a leading role at the Amex.

Everton

As for the visitors, while Everton might have snatched a late 1-1 draw at home against Crystal Palace earlier in the week, Sean Dyche’s men find themselves at the heart of a public struggle. In the midst of another Premier League relegation scrap and with just their goal difference keeping them outside of the drop zone, the former Burnley boss has a real job on his hands at Goodison Park. Hit with a hugely controversial 10-point deduction back in November and still dealing with a string of issues behind the scenes, Everton should be bracing themselves for a real challenge here. In fact, crashing out of the FA Cup last month following a 1-0 loss against Luton, Saturday’s guests have claimed just a single victory from any of their previous 13 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 16th.

Team News

Still dealing with long-term calf injury and not making a single appearance across any competition over the past month, Andre Gomes is not expected to feature on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, Villarreal loanee Arnaut Danjuma is still suffering with an ankle issue and is seen as a real doubt.

Coming off the bench and bagging a late equaliser against Crystal Palace on Monday night, Belgium international Amadou Onana could be handed a full recall here. Making his return from a month-long muscle injury earlier in the week, ex-Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure could have a leading role to at the Amex.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Brighton and Everton met for their reverse Premier League meeting on November 4th, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at Goodison Park.
• Brighton have suffered just a single domestic defeat at the Amex across any competition so far this season.
• Everton have claimed just a single victory from any of their previous 13 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 16th.
• The Toffees have failed to find the net in any of their previous four Premier League appearances away from Goodison Park.
• Brighton’s last five appearances have produced 24 goals at both ends of the pitch.

Conclusion

While Everton might have claimed a stunning 5-1 romp when they travelled to the Amex last season, the Blues should be bracing themselves for a stern challenge here. Claiming just a single win from any of their previous 13 straight matchups across all competitions, Brighton should be smelling a real opportunity on Saturday afternoon. Remarkably suffering just a single domestic defeat across any format at the Amex so far this campaign, we are backing a home victory for the top-six contenders this weekend.

Verdict: Brighton win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet