Everton vs Brighton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-08-16 14:00.
[p]This is a Premier League campaign that’ll have added poignance for Everton as it’ll be their last at Goodison Park before they depart for their new multi-million pound home on the banks of the River Mersey next year. They’ll head into this last-ever league opener at the Grand Old Lady with confidence, having rounded off pre-season with a 3-0 win at Preston North End, a 6-0 behind-closed-doors victory over Motherwell and a 1-1 draw with Serie A giants Roma on Saturday. [/p]
[p]The Toffees have also had a busy transfer window, with midfielder Amadou Onana’s move to Aston Villa and centre-back Jake O’Brien’s arrival from Lyon perhaps the most notable business in both directions. Sean Dyche will hope that those summer moves have made his unit stronger, and they’ll bid to start on the right foot here in the hope of avoiding a third-successive opening matchday defeat – Everton hadn’t lost a league curtain raiser in the ten seasons before that! [/p]
[p]Had it not been for Everton’s eight-point deduction for a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, these two sides would have finished level on points last term, which perhaps underlines the regression that Brighton suffered in Roberto De Zerbi’s final months in charge. They too have had a busy window, although it’s the arrival of new head coach Fabian HĂĽrzeler that could prove most important – his appointment saw the 31-year-old become the youngest permanent boss in Premier League history.[/p]
[p]The Seagulls certainly look comfortable under HĂĽrzeler so far, picking up four straight wins from as many matches during pre-season. Their recent record in the opening round of league fixtures is also to be admired, with victories in each of their last three opening gameweeks – another here would see them win four such encounters in succession for the first time in their history.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré is usually in the thick of the action against Brighton, having picked up a yellow card in three of the past four H2Hs.  New Brighton arrival Yankuba Minteh looks set to cause Everton’s defence problems, as including friendlies, the former Feyenoord man has scored four goals in his past five matches over the summer for club and country. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: The team scoring first has never lost a Premier League meeting between Everton and Brighton (W10, D3). [/p]
[p][i]By David HÂ [/i][/p]