Premier League

Everton vs Brighton prediction

Joint-Premier League leaders Everton welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Goodison Park in the 3pm Saturday kickoff this weekend

The Toffees will be looking to maintain their 100% winning start prior to the international breaks, following victories over West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and West Ham United, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Brighton have taken three points from their first three games – losing 3-1 to Chelsea, beating Newcastle United 3-0 and then beaten deep, deep into stoppage time at home to Manchester United last weekend.

Graham Potter’s side have looked decent in the process, but six goals conceded in those two defeats don’t match up well against an Everton side that have Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez on fire. The Seagulls’ sole clean sheet came against a Newcastle side that have barely had a shot on target to start the 2020-21 Premier League season.

Everton don’t have the best defensive record themselves, conceding two long range efforts against West Brom, and goals against both Crystal Palace and West Ham. This is still a game they can simply outscore the visitors though, just as Chelsea and Manchester United have.

Rodriguez in the number 10 has been very influential under Carlo Ancelotti, Lucas Digne is creating chances for Calvert-Lewin from left-back and set pieces, Richarlison is always a goal threat and Everton have been decent from set pieces, which includes Michael Keane a threat when popping up from centre-back.

I don’t quite know where this Everton team is at as they will have tougher opponents to come, notably the Merseyside derby directly after the international break. But for now, they’re capable of outscoring the teams expected to finish in the bottom half, and that includes this weekend’s opponents.

Everton’s odds are a bit higher than I was expecting as one of the three teams with maximum points and playing at home.

Best bet: Everton to win is 1.88 with Smarkets