0 Everton vs 3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton's Hürzeler 'ready' for Premier League debut against Everton.
Everton kick off their Premier League season at home against Brighton this Saturday, with Sean Dyche's new signings set to impress, while Fabian Hürzeler makes his competitive managerial debut for the Seagulls.
Everton
Everton will begin their Premier League campaign on home turf against Brighton this Saturday, hoping to start with a win. After year-on-year relegation scraps, the Toffees are looking forward to a more positive campaign.
Following the departure of Amadou Onana and Ben Godfrey to Aston Villa and Atalanta, respectively, Everton made reinforcements in the shape of centre-back Jake O'Brien and centre-forward Iliman Ndiaye. Nothing would please Sean Dyche more than seeing the duo make an immediate impact.
Although the Blues have lost their last two Premier League opening games, Everton hopes to extend their form from the tail end of last season. 'With your home crowd and home support, you want to give them good value in what your team does, and of course, that always starts with winning,' Sean Dyche said in an interview on Thursday.
Everton won five of their last eight Premier League games after going winless for the previous 13. However, Everton are winless in their last three home games against Brighton.
Seamus Coleman will miss Saturday’s opener along with Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, and Youssef Chermiti, who are all injured. A familiar 4-4-1-1 with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack is expected against Brighton.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Fabian Hürzeler will be making his competitive managerial debut for Brighton, having replaced De Zerbi on July 1. The 31-year-old, who made the switch from FC St. Pauli after steering the German side to the Bundesliga following a domestic championship title in 2. Bundesliga, will be hoping to get off to a win.
Victories in all four pre-season games will surely spark confidence as Hürzeler prepares his side to face Everton. "It’s always something special when it starts, but when it's about winning three points, I think we will have a challenge ahead of us against Everton at Goodison Park. We are looking forward and we feel ready," Hürzeler said in an Everton vs. Brighton pre-match press conference.
"We can make the season a season to remember," he added, summarising the objectives for his new side despite Brighton’s lack of European football. With victories in the last three opening games, Brighton could win four opening Premier League games in a row on Saturday.
A 4—2—3—1 formation with Danny Welbeck in attack may be seen against Everton. The Seagulls will be without as many as five players for the weekend's game, including Pervis Estupiñán and Solly March.
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