The first competitive fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium will take place in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, when Everton host Brighton & Hove Albion. The Toffees are looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat on the opening weekend, while Brighton will also want to make amends for a late stutter last week.
Contents
Everton vs Brighton prediction: Difficult opener at Hill Dickinson for Toffees
Key Stats
- Brighton have scored 13 goals in their last five matches away to Everton.
- Everton lost their first home Premier League match of last season to Brighton, going down 3-0 at Goodison Park.
- After winning their final two away games of last season, Brighton could win three in a row for the first since 2023, when the third success in that run came away to Everton.
- Everton beat Brighton 1-0 away in January, but they have not won back-to-back games against the Seagulls since 2020.
Correct score prediction: Everton 0-2 Brighton
Everton did nothing to instil any confidence in their supporters in a dismal display at Elland Road last week, while Brighton were able to take many positives from their performance at home to Fulham, despite slipping up late on, and will fancy their chances of extending their brilliant run of form away to the Toffees.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Everton outsiders despite home advantage
- HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.5%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The bookies do not expect Everton’s new home to offer them much advantage in its inaugural competitive fixture here, with the hosts down at 19/10 to win.
Brighton seem to have something over Everton when they meet in Merseyside, so 16/11 looks to be a very generous price, while scoring 13 on their last five visits means over 1.5 goals for the away team, priced at 6/4, is also one to keep an eye on.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Brighton excellent away to Everton
Brighton have won only one of their previous five Premier League meetings with Everton, but their record away to the Toffees is a reason for optimism in this one.
The Seagulls won 3-0 on Fabian Hurzeler’s debut in the dugout last season, 18 months on from winning 4-1 at Goodison Park, so the visitors will hope to improve further on a run that has seen them win three and draw the other of their previous four matches away to Everton.
England Premier League 25/01/25
Brighton
Everton
England Premier League 17/08/24
Everton
Brighton
England Premier League 24/02/24
Brighton
Everton
England Premier League 04/11/23
Everton
Brighton
England Premier League 08/05/23
Brighton
Everton
Everton preview: Confidence deflated by injuries
Everton will remain without Jarrad Branthwaite, while left-back pair Vitality Mykolenko and Adam Aznou are likely to miss out, so another makeshift option could be required at left-back, after James Garner started there a week ago.
Jack Grealish will hope to make his full Everton debut after being restricted to 20 minutes at Elland Road, while Thierno Barry may also come in for his first start after Beto flattered to deceive last time out.
Predicted lineup: Pickford (GK), O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish & Barry
England Premier League 10/05/25
W
Fulham
1
Everton
3
England Premier League 03/05/25
D
Ipswich
2
Everton
2
England Premier League 26/04/25
L
Chelsea
1
Everton
0
England Premier League 19/04/25
L
Man City
2
Everton
0
England Premier League 12/04/25
W
Nottm Forest
0
Everton
1
Brighton preview: Close to full-strength
Brighton could be mostly unchanged from last weekend, with Danny Welbeck and one of Joel Veltman or Ferdi Kadioglu the only likely squad members who could come in, but Mats Wieffer and Georginio Rutter should start once more.
On the injury front, Solly March and Adam Webster are out, while Jack Hinshelwood is doubtful, while Julio Enciso will not be available as he is in the process of completing a move to Chelsea, via Strasbourg.
Predicted lineup: Verbruggen (GK), Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper, Baleba, O’Riley, Ayari, Minteh, Rutter & Mitoma
England Premier League 10/05/25
W
Wolverhampton
0
Brighton
2
England Premier League 04/05/25
D
Newcastle
1
Brighton
1
England Premier League 26/04/25
W
West Ham
2
Brighton
3
England Premier League 19/04/25
L
Brentford
4
Brighton
2
England Premier League 12/04/25
D
Leicester
2
Brighton
2
Player to watch: Kaoru Mitoma
Mitoma has ran riot on his last three visits to Everton, scoring twice and forcing the own goal off Ashley Young that earned them a late point in November 2023.
The Japanese winger did not have his best afternoon a week ago, but he is so often a consistent performer, and scored 10 Premier League goals last season.