Brighton vs Everton Predictions: Moyes' men can frustrate Seagulls
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- Brighton are winless in four at home
- Everton are unbeaten in four trips to the Amex
- Recommended bet: Draw or Everton double chance
David Moyes lost the opening game of his Everton return 1-0 to Aston Villa, but his team bounced back with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham and next head to Brighton on Saturday.
The Seagulls outplayed Manchester United 3-1 last Sunday, their third win on the spin to extend their unbeaten run to seven in all competitions.
However, their trio of recent victories have all been away from home and the hosts could struggle to secure a first victory at the Amex since November 9.
Team news
Fabian Hurzeler really went for United at Old Trafford, fielding a 4-4-2 to press the Red Devils high up the field.
Although he is expected to limit changes to his team, the German may recall Georginio Rutter to play at number 10 and give Joao Pedro or Danny Welbeck a rest.
Moyes also sprung a surprise against Spurs by selecting a more fluid formation with Jake O'Brien often tucking in in a back three and Jesper Lindstrom operating as a wing-back, while Iliman Ndiaye played more centrally.
Ndiaye should retain that role and, like Hurzeler, the Scot is likely to stick with a winning side.
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The stats
Brighton are aiming to complete the league double over Everton for the first time, but the Toffees have won two of their last four trips to the Amex, drawing the other two.
The Seagulls could win their third game in a row for the first time since September 2023, but are without a triumph in their last four at home.
However, the Merseysiders have secured victory in just one of their last 21 away league games and have scored only once on the road since winning 2-0 at Ipswich in October.
The returning Moyes has won only one of his 10 Premier League meetings against Brighton, albeit that came in his last visit to the Amex when West Ham won 3-1 in August 2023.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended his 16-game scoreless run against Tottenham, while Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma has been directly involved in three goals in his last two Premier League games and is looking to become the first Japanese player to score in three straight games in the English top-flight.
Prediction
Everton markedly improved in the four days between the Villa defeat and the Spurs win and another sustained spell on the training ground will only have helped Moyes get his methods across.
He and his predecessor, Sean Dyche, undoubtedly share a respect for the defensive side of the game and the Scot's challenge is to make his team more attacking.
A rejuvenated Calvert-Lewin can help, while the Toffees' record at the Amex will also boost morale.
Sat ninth, seven places and 14 points better off than the visitors, Brighton are still in the running for a European finish, but need to win home matches like this, something that has proved problematic, dropping points against Ipswich, Wolves, Southampton and Brentford at home this season.
Having Welbeck fit again could help – Moyes' former Manchester United forward having been involved in more Premier League goals against Everton than any other opponent (five goals, five assists).
However, Hurzeler's side keeps coming unstuck against the clubs below them and the Toffees could be the latest team to take something at Falmer.
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