Everton vs Brighton: Preview and Predicted Lineups | OneFootball

A new era for the Toffees is set to get underway with Everton hosting their first Premier League fixture at their new waterfront stadium.

The Blues will take on Brighton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on the banks of the river Mersey and there’s no better way to greet the expected capacity crowd of 52,769 than with a win to begin their Premier League 2025/26 journey.

David Moyes’ side languished in a 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Leeds United at Elland Road and will be seeking an improved performance here.

Changes have been aplenty at Finch Farm since the end of last season, with nearly two dozen players going out and coming in through the revolving door of the transfer window.

Evertonians will make the trip to Bramley-Moore Dock with the satisfaction of knowing that a deal for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling is close, bringing an end to the desperate summer-long search for a right winger.

They’ll naturally be expecting a more gutsy show from the players who looked off-colour and dispirited in the campaign opener against Leeds.

Everton vs Brighton - Team News and Predicted XI

Everton Team News

Everton’s defensive woes are set to continue as Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko will miss the clash against Brighton as well. Branthwaite picked up a hamstring injury in training following the final pre-season friendly against Roma, while Mykolenko was injured in that game.

Both of them missed the opening fixture against Leeds United, as did teenage left-back Adam Aznou, signed from Bayern Munich.

Aznou has returned to training this week, although it remains to be seen whether he receives the medical green light to be selected in the final squad. If he does get medical clearance, he’s expected to slot in at left-back, allowing James Garner to move to the middle to partner Idrissa Gueye.

Thierno Barry, who came on in the dying embers of the clash at Elland Road, is expected to lead the line ahead of Beto.

Everton predicted starting XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Aznou; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

When is Everton vs Brighton?

Everton will host Brighton in their first home game of the season at the newly-built waterfront stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on August 24, Sunday. Kick-off is scheduled at 2:00 pm BST.

Where to Watch Everton vs Brighton?

The Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton will be available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League for viewers in the UK.

The match will also be available online on Sky Go, on the Sky Sports app and via Now TV’s Sports membership.

Reader Comments (11)

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Same team as against Leeds I bet, but surely different tactics for Brighton. With teams like B H A who are expert at a fast attacking style and quick breakaways, you have to have an organised defence. We can't have Gueye thinking he's a striker and loitering round the opposition's penalty area, he's a defensive midfielder, protecting the defence.. He should be barking out orders saying who should be covering who. Structure is the key, keep your shape. I've noticed that a lot of the teams are getting dragged out of position, with five or six players all on one side, and feet away from each other, like a game in the play ground. I remember Kevin Keegan saying, one reason he left Liverpool was because he was being told where to stand when the opposition had a throw in, but that was organisation to the max. Teams are wide open simply through lack of an organised team. Moyes should, of all people have his team's defensively structured. With the injuries we have, and players out of position, we need the mentality of stick to the plan, and no gung ho attitudes. I think we will win this one, backed by the new stadium, and the fans, and a little luck, and an unbent referee, and var not sleeping at inappropriate times, and Jesus on our side, oh, and var on our side for a change, and fingers crossed, and news of hundreds of tins of blue paint due for BMD. I think I've got everything covered.Everton 2 Brighton 1. Where's me rabbit's foot, and me lucky heather, and me four leave clover, and me horses shoe.

Mike Powell 4 Posted 23/08/2025 at 15:58:18

Like to see McNeil at LB garner in CM Barry CF, drop Alacarz and Beto

5 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:01:08

Yes Christy, Garner at left back didn't work, although Tim was the real issue.That leaves Aznou or Mcneil as the most likely fill in.We still have some options up field, lets see Grealish and Ndiyae on the flanks and start Barry, Grealish probably wont track back so we need the mid to give some cover, cmon Moyes, better than the Leeds fiasco please.

Raymond Fox 6 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:10:20

He will stick with Beto up front and Garner at left back. I don't see Grealish starting either more like half time, it depends how the game is shaping up. Alcaraz in Garners place, maybe McNeil further forward.

Christy Ring 7 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:15:59

I'd be mystified if he starts Beto, I know we had very few chances on Monday night, but I thought he offered absolutely nothing upfront.

Jake FitzGerald 8 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:19:10

Dewsbury Hall anywhere?

Andrew Clare 9 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:24:52

Beto is like any other striker we’ve had over recent years.

Playing alone upfront with no service and not a decent pass for the whole game.

Okay some of his play is limited but give him chances and he will score.

He’s played under Moyes and Dyke two of the most negative managers in the game.We don’t create enough chances per game.

Billy Shears 11 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:32:03

Very tough one to call but whatever teams Moyes puts out our performance needs to vastly improve over the Leeds fiasco!

We need our lads to start fast,get the crowd going,get in their faces... intensity needed & some skill too, please!

Joe McMahon 12 Posted 23/08/2025 at 16:34:43

Andrew@9 some very good points, and like a few of us I never wanted Dyche in the first place or Moyes back.

On the subject of past managers, yes it didn't work with Lampard (PL possibly too soon for him). But Cov now scored 7, and the news about them buying the stadium is brilliant news.