Everton Chase European Momentum as Brighton Host Crucial Amex Showdown

Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Everton to the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon with just three points separating the sides in the Premier League table and European ambitions firmly in mind.

Brighton enter the weekend in 12th place, while Everton sit 10th, and with the league table tightly packed, victory for either side could significantly shift momentum. A win for the hosts would see the Seagulls move into the top half, while Everton could draw level on points with Merseyside rivals Liverpool in sixth.

Brighton Form & Home Strength

It has been a mixed campaign for Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton side. Since early December, league form has dipped noticeably, with just one win in their last 10 Premier League matches (W1 D5 L4). Only Burnley and Wolves have collected fewer points during that period.

Last time out, Brighton suffered a late setback at Craven Cottage, conceding a stoppage-time winner as Fulham completed a 2–1 comeback.

Despite those struggles, the Amex has remained a stronghold. Brighton have lost just once at home all season, collecting 20 of their 30 league points on home soil.

However, one concern remains: Brighton are winless in their last five home league meetings with Everton, a run they will be desperate to end this weekend.

Everton’s Away Resilience

Everton arrive in Sussex enjoying an unfamiliar position in the top half of the table. David Moyes’ side have collected 33 points so far, though consistency has been elusive, with only two wins from their last eight league matches.

Those victories, however, came away from home and showcased Everton’s growing defensive solidity. Clean-sheet wins at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa underline their strength on the road, with the Toffees now keeping five clean sheets in their last six away league games.

Another shutout on Saturday would mark Everton’s fourth consecutive away clean sheet for the first time since May 2021, while three straight away wins without conceding would be their best such run since 2008.

Head-to-Head Record

Everton claimed a 2–0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, their first league game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees are now chasing just their second Premier League double over Brighton, having last achieved that feat in the 1980/81 campaign.

They also boast a strong recent record at the Amex, remaining unbeaten there since October 2019. Across the last 17 Premier League meetings, Everton have won eight compared to Brighton’s five.

Brighton, though, have enjoyed success at Goodison Park in recent seasons, recording emphatic 3–0 and 4–1 victories since 2023, highlighting the unpredictability of this matchup.

Team News

Brighton remain without long-term absentees Solly March, Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas, all sidelined with knee injuries. Mats Wieffer and Brajan Gruda are doubts but could be assessed closer to kick-off.

Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh are expected to return to the starting XI after being limited to substitute appearances against Fulham. They are likely to support Danny Welbeck, who faces his former manager David Moyes. Welbeck has been directly involved in 10 Premier League goals against Everton (five goals, five assists), more than against any other opponent.

For Everton, Jack Grealish is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture. Timothy Iroegbunam remains doubtful, but Michael Keane returns from suspension and is likely to partner James Tarkowski at centre-back, with Jarrad Branthwaite still being eased back.

Everton’s attack is expected to feature Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye and in-form Thierno Barry, who has scored four goals in his last five league appearances.

Predicted Line-ups

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Van Hecke, Dunk, Boscagli; Ayari, Groß; Rutter, Minteh, Mitoma; Welbeck

Everton XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Armstrong, McNeil, Ndiaye; Barry