Prediction: Brighton vs Everton

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Bet365

Our first dose of Sunday afternoon football comes from the South Coast as newly promoted Brighton will be playing host to an Everton side who are desperately seeking a turn of fortunes following an underwhelming start to the season.

Brighton

For Chris Hughton’s Brighton side, life among England’s elite has been fairly respectable so far, still unbeaten at the Amex, the Seagulls currently sit 14th in the table with seven points, if Brighton are able to continue on this path and more importantly pick up some points from the teams around them, the Premier League new boys will be feeling quietly confident about avoiding the drop.

As for the Seagulls recent form, last time out Brighton slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal before the international break and the South Coast club will be hoping to bounce back against a side that are currently in turmoil. This season Brighton have attempted to make the Amex Stadium into a fortress, they’re doing a valiant job, picking up victories against West Brom and Newcastle, Chris Hughton’s boys will be looking to push on and get as far away from that dreaded drop zone as possible.

The only small problem has been a lack of goals for the boys in blue, Brighton have only managed to find the net five times so far this season and to make matters worse, Brighton will once again be without the club’s top scorer Tomer Hemed.

Team News

Brighton fans will be happy to hear that Dutch playmaker Davy Proper has fully recovered from a hip injury and looks set to be fit come Sunday afternoon. Along with Proper, last seasons top scorer Glenn Murray will also be returning to the squad following an ankle injury.

Murray’s return could not have come at a better time for the Seagull’s as fellow forward Tomer Hemed will be serving the second of his three-match ban. Other absentees include veteran midfielder Steve Sidwell, Sam Baldock and Beram Kayal.

Everton

As for Everton, they really are a club in turmoil, undoubtedly the Premier League’s most disappointing side this season, despite a Summer transfer market that saw the likes of Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson sign up at Goodison Park, the Toffees have only managed to pick up 7 points so far this season and more worryingly, they only sit two points above the relegation zone.

Like Brighton, Everton will also be hoping to bounce back after a defeat before the international break, the Blues lost 1-0 at home to Burnley followed by a 3-0 loss away at Atalanta in the Europa League. Unsurprisingly, fingers are beginning to point at current Toffees boss Ronald Koeman and his job is coming under an increasing amount of scrutiny from the Goodison faithful.

The problems don’t end there, so far this season Everton have only managed to find the back of the net four times in their seven outings and to make matters worse, Everton are conceding at least two goals per game on average.

 Team News

The biggest decision Ronald Koeman has to make lies at the heart of his defence. Everton’s club captain Phil Jagielka is fit again after missing nearly a month with a hamstring injury, the England international could replace Ashley Williams who has endured some shaky form.

Although midfielder James McCarthy will be making his return from a knee injury for the U23’s on Tuesday night, the Irishman will be unavailable along with Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley, Aaron Lennon and Yannick Bolasie.

Key Factors to Consider

• Brighton have won only one of their eight league meetings with Everton
• Everton have lost only one of their last 19 Premier League games against newly-promoted teams
• Ronald Koeman has won only four of his 22 away games in charge of Everton
• Everton have only scored six goals in their last 12 league appearances
• Victory would ensure Brighton equal their top-flight record of three consecutive home wins

Conclusion

If you’re hoping for an open game that sees plenty of goals at both ends of the pitch, maybe this game won’t be for you. Entering the game both sides will know how important three points are. But, it looks like goals will be at a premium here, both sides have only managed to score more than one goal only once in the seven league games so far this season, under 2.5 goals looks like a safe bet here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker:Bet365