Brighton to kick on at Goodison Park
Everton welcome Brighton and Hove Albion in hoping to put a disappointing 2021 behind them with a victory in their first match of the New Year. Rafael Benitez is under pressure in the Goodison Park dugout and the Seagulls arrive off the back of a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Brentford. Brighton had been on the slide and without a win in 11 league games but Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay put an end to that with expert finishes for Graham Potter’s men. The Toffees still have an eight point cushion on the relegation zone, sat in 15th, but if Burnley can get their act together as they have done in recent years then they could get sucked into the dog fight.
Process
The Toffees are a better attacking side than Brighton at the moment, even with some of their more dangerous players on the treatment table. Brighton made light work of the Bees, but there are in no way a free flowing attacking sides that can push for anything higher than a mid table finish this season. The best facet off the pitch on display in this encounter will be the Seagulls’ defensive contingent, even without Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy and Dan Burn marshalled the troops very well last time out and will be confident of doing so again at Goodison Park.
Brighton are likely to have more possession than the Toffees and will look to control the game in that. Though they lack cutting edge, there is a strong base and an understanding in central areas that Brighton can stay in games and Sunday provides an opportunity for them to pick up back-to-back wins.
Goals?
Not my angle but always worth considering. An unders punt was considered but in the end I am leaning on the trusty Asian Handicap.
- Everton have scored in six of ten.
- Everton have conceded in nine of ten.
- Everton have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Everton have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
- Brighton have scored in seven of ten.
- Brighton have conceded in eight of ten.
- Brighton have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Brighton have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Brighton are the pick here, better league position, data and recent form. Everton will be fresher having not played since 16th December but they have looked far from convincing this term. Brighton are rarely comfortably cast aside.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-2 Brighton, a comfortable winner.