Everton hosts Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park this Saturday for the 11th matchday of the Premier League.
Sean Dyche‘s side managed to avoid relegation last season, finishing 17th and securing their 32nd consecutive year in English top-flight football. However, this season, the story isn’t much different for Everton. They have suffered six defeats, with the only positive aspect being three wins in their first ten league games, earning them as many points.
Brighton are on the brighter side of the fixture, managing the demands of both continental football and the league. Under Robert De Zerbi‘s management, the team has achieved a commendable 7th place in the league table with 5 wins and only 3 defeats, accumulating 17 points so far this season.
Shedding some light on the current form of the Toffees, they have secured 2 wins and suffered 2 losses in their last 4 Premier League fixtures. Similarly, the Seagulls have displayed a comparable form. Everton’s last outing was a 1-0 win at London Stadium against the Hammers, while the away side shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at home against Fulham.
Looking at the head-to-head records between Everton and Brighton, there is a noticeable difference in the total of 12 encounters. The hosts have secured 6 wins, while the guests have 4 wins, and the match ended in a draw twice.
When and Where?
Where: Goodison Park, Liverpool.
When: Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Time: 3:00 pm PM BST.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tim Robinson.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes & Scott Ledger.
Fourth official: Steve Martin.
VAR: Michael Oliver.
Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton.
Team news
For Everton, Dele Alli, Andre Gomes, and Seamus Coleman remain long-term absentees and are unavailable for the home clash due to injury concerns. The rest of the squad is ready to go.
For Brighton, both Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey sustained muscle injuries, and Julio Enciso, nursing knee problems, are out of selection. Additionally, Solly March and Welbeck are questionable for the match.
Match Analysis
The Toffees will approach the fixture with confidence to continue their winning form, as Sean Dyche could retain the lineup. The acquainted 4-4-1-1 dynamic formation provides solidity in defense and catches the opponents on the counter. This formation has helped them secure 3 wins in the last 5 games.
The four-man defense line consists of Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, and Mykolenko, with Pickford in goal. In the middle, the combination of Harrison, Garner, Onana, and McNell provides the team’s midfield strength. Doucoure serves as the key attacking midfielder, responsible for creating chances for Calvert-Lewin, who plays as the lone striker upfront for finishing those chances.
Seagulls are coping with a few injury problems with their important players being sidelined but their Italian tactician will eye for the win at least, as Robert De Zerbi might revert back to his 4-2-3-1 formation on which the Italian has been reliant so far this season in domestic games.
Steele is to remain as the last man-keeper, behind the center-back pairing of Lewis Dunk-Webster with two Milner and Veltmen as the full-backs. In the center ahead of the backline defensive midfield pairing in the Double pivotal role of Baleba-Dahoud behind Adam Lallana in a creative role and two wide midfielders Mitoma and Adingra and upfront Lewis Ferguson sole striker.
Key Players
Abdoulaye Doucouré
The 30-year-old French-born creative midfielder has been one of the standout players for the Merseyside club, starting in all ten Premier League fixtures this season. He has also scored three goals, making him the club’s second-highest goal scorer, behind only Calvert-Lewin who has 4 goals.
Kaoru Mitoma
The Japanese international has been one of the key figures in De Zerbi’s lineup ever since his arrival last season. The 26-year-old wide midfielder cum winger has started 9 out of 10 league games in the season accumulating 6 goals contributions with 3 goals and 3 assists playing a pivotal role in the current season as well.
Predicted Lineups
Everton Predicted lineup vs Brighton: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Onana, McNell; Doucoure, Lewin.
Brighton predicted lineup vs Everton: Steele; Milner, Dunk, Webster, Veltmen; Baleba, Dahoud; Adingra, Lallana, Mitoma; Ferguson.
