Final Season Standings: A Tale of Two Teams
Everton lost only two of their last nine games as they fought hard to end the previous season on a high. Meanwhile, Brighton faltered in the latter stages, securing just one win in their last 10 league outings. When they faced off last season, the teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
Goodison Park: Everton’s Fortress
Everton will be eager to put last season’s points deduction behind them as they aim to kick off the new campaign with a victory against Brighton at Goodison Park. The Toffees finished the season with a perfect record in their last five home league games, all won without conceding a single goal. This run included a memorable 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool. Notably, Everton had one of the best defensive records at home, with only Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City conceding fewer goals.
Brighton, under the new management of Fabian Hurzeler, face a daunting task of improving their away form. Last season, the Seagulls managed only three away wins in all competitions, a trend they will need to reverse quickly.
Everton would have matched Brighton’s points tally if not for their eight-point deduction, and this should give Sean Dyche’s side plenty of belief heading into the match. With two of their last four home wins last season coming by a 2-0 scoreline, another similar result could be on the horizon.
Doucoure’s Influence in Attack
Although Everton didn’t score many goals last season, they’ve added some attacking reinforcements over the summer, including Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille and Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli. However, Abdoulaye Doucoure, a familiar face, might be the one to make the difference this weekend.
The Malian international enjoyed his joint-best Premier League season last year with seven goals, excelling in a more attacking midfield role behind the striker. Since joining from Watford, Doucoure has been a crucial part of Everton’s setup, and he’s expected to be instrumental again this season. If he gets an opportunity on Saturday, don’t be surprised if he finds the net.
Betting tip – Everton DNB EVENs
