Everton vs Brighton preview

Team news, key stats and prediction ahead of Everton vs Brighton in the Premier League.

• Premier League Table | Fixtures | Top scorers
• Charlie Nicholas' Premier League predictions
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Team news

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Brighton.

The Toffees are set to welcome midfielder Andre Gomes back to their training ground next week as the Portugal international makes significant strides forward in his recovery from the fracture dislocation he suffered to his right ankle in November. Jean-Pierre Gbamin and Alex Iwobi remain sidelined.

Brighton have a doubt over midfielder Aaron Mooy, who has missed a couple of days training because of a knee problem. Striker Glenn Murray, though, is expected to be available for the trip to Merseyside having picked up a knock last week ahead of the FA Cup third-round defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

Winger Solly March is in contention after his recovery from groin surgery, but defender Dan Burn is ruled out with a broken collarbone. Forward Jose Izquierdo (knee) remains a long-term absentee.

How to follow

Follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published at 5.15pm on Saturday on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.

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Opta stats

• The home side has never lost in the five Premier League meetings between Everton and Brighton (W4 D1), with the Toffees winning both games at Goodison Park.
• Brighton have never won away against Everton in any competition, drawing two and losing five of their visits.
• Everton have kept nine clean sheets in their last 15 home Premier League games (W9 D3 L3), recording a shutout in each of their last two games.
• Brighton have lost five of their last seven Premier League away games (W1 D1); since the start of the 2017-18 season, the Seagulls have lost more top-flight away matches than any other club (30).
• Since Carlo Ancelotti's first Premier League match in charge on Boxing Day, Everton have had more shots than any other team (50).
• Brighton have had 239 open play sequences of 10 or more passes in the Premier League this season, more than double Everton have managed (117) and more than Arsenal (238), Spurs (237) and Manchester United (225).
• Everton have won none of their last 34 Premier League games when conceding first (D6 L28), a run stretching back to December 2017.

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

In all honesty, Everton's game against Liverpool was like Leeds against Arsenal. Everton should have been three up and they fell apart in the second half. This was due to a lack of desire and spirit at Anfield. They caved in, and Duncan Ferguson would have hounded them if he was still in charge.

It was quite embarrassing to be beaten by the side that Liverpool put out. Carlo Ancelotti would have had stern words, but when you look at what Everton have got, the balance is not right. They play an attacking midfield - Theo Walcott has been playing better, Richarlison is a threat and scores goals, so I get that side of it.

Is the balance at the back right? I don't think it is. Brighton like to get on the ball, and again, as well as they have played, they are the same as Burnley, just four points above the drop. They are one point behind Everton, but Ancelotti needs a reaction and that is the only reason I am going for them to win.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

Everton to edge Brighton?

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