Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton
David Moyes’ Everton head south on Saturday to take on Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton and Hove Albion in a tasty, top-flight mid-table clash.
It’s 12th versus 10th with just three points separating the two sides, and if Premier League: Brighton vs Everton goes the way of the hosts they will be tied together on 33 points. But that is easier said than done for the Seagulls who face a team which is unbeaten in four matches, three 1-1 draws and a 1-0 victory, against high-flying Aston Villa.
And while Everton have proven devilishly difficult to beat in recent weeks the Seagulls crashed to earth last week when a late Harry Wilson goal condemned them to a 2-1 loss away to Fulham.
The Premier League table is pretty congested in the middle, with only four points separating the Cottagers in seventh from Bournemouth in 13th and all those teams will have European aspirations. Both clubs will have aspirations of three points on Saturday and the Brighton vs Everton betting odds say we’re in for a fascinating tussle; so let’s cast our SBOTOP eye over the two camps and then take a look at the pre-match odds.
Talking Points
Hurzeler still looking for the clinical edge
He’s been in Brighton for just over a year and half now and Hurzeler, still only 32 years of age, has won plenty of admiration for the way he sets up his teams, and Brighton narrowly missed out on a European spot last term, but he’s still working towards his finished article.
Just like last season, the Seagulls started strongly but have endured a mid-season blip, punctuated by some impressive results. The Seagulls’ visit to Fulham last week shone a light on their season so far, as they dominated for long periods but failed to take advantage of their chances and paid the price. They are a team which can soak up pressure and pounce on the attack, as they did in a 2-1 FA Cup win over Manchester United and a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City. But then, at home to Bournemouth the Seagulls again had the lion’s share of possession and many more shots than the Cherries, but they relied on a 91st minute stunner from Charalampos Kostoulas to save a late point.
Hurzeler will hope Kostoulas can find his shooting boots again on Saturday, while veteran striker Danny Welbeck is sure to play some role again. Meanwhile, in the defensive third Lewis Dunk and Jean Paul van Hecke will face a real and present danger.
Barry the Beast is on fire
One player sure to feature heavily in the Brighton vs Everton highlights is the Toffees’ 6ft 5in striker Thierno Barry, who made if four goals in five games when he scored the equaliser in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Monday night. Everton won 1-0 away to high-flying Aston Villa last week to end the Villans’ 11-game winning run at home, and it was Barry who bagged that winner to put behind him a difficult start at Everton.
Barry only managed one goal in his first 18 games for the Toffees and the 23-year-old rarely looked like the answer to Everton’s problems upfront, but in 2026 he has hit a rich vein of form and looks every inch, all 77 of them, a Premier League striker. Big and awkward to mark, but with quick feet and impressive pace he has the size and strength needed to cope in the English league and Barry now has that added ingredient of confidence. A £27m price tag is never easy to cope with but it’s starting to look like Everton have got themselves some good value for money.
At the other end of the pitch James Tarkowski and Jake O Brien will be ready for a tussle with the Seagulls’ attack and we should see some lively action at either end of the pitch.
History
When these two teams met at the Hill Dickenson Stadium in August the Toffees ran out 2-0 winners as goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner punished the wasteful Seagulls and Jack Grealish impressed on his home debut.
In terms of recent form the Seagulls have won two, drawn three and lost one of the last six, as have the Toffees; but, noticeably Everton are stronger away from home thaan they are on their home turf.
Betting Tip
With Brighton at odds of 1.98 a home win is the most likely option, with Everton at 4.00 and the draw at 3.60; but I think Everton’s away form will see them pick up another point at least.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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