After Everton’s impressive 2-0 win over West Ham at the weekend, the blues visit Brighton this Saturday. Evertonians will be hoping for a similar result and performance this weekend, and earn three points over 16^th placed Brighton. Make sure to check out the Toffee TV YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uGiRREtcYA

Brilliant goals from both Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson saw Everton finally secure the win on Saturday. They dominated West Ham and could’ve won by a lot more than just the two goals. Yerry Mina’s mysteriously disallowed goal, as well as misses by Tom Davies and Alex Iwobi stand out as potential opportunities for even more goals.

Silva’s changes to the starting line-up saw a much-improved Everton side play with intensity and character, with an excellent midfield three of Gomes, Davies, and Iwobi providing mobility and an emphasis on moving the ball forward. Alex Iwobi, Everton’s most progressive carrier of the ball, proved he can competently play in a central role, and should start their again in place of the dropped Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Full-backs Lucas Digne, and particularly Djibril Sidibe pushed high, allowing Bernard and Theo Walcott to tuck inside and allow for more creativity centrally. Sidibe provided a refreshing amount of creativity and pace, and should start against Brighton.

Brighton aren’t in great form, having one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five Premier League fixtures. The one win was an impressive 3-0 against Spurs, however Brighton scored just one in the other four games combined.

Since promotion to the Premier League, Brighton have played Everton four times, with Everton winning twice, drawing once, and losing once. However both wins were at Goodison Park, with the loss and draw occurring at The Amex. Clearly, this isn’t great form going in to Saturday’s away fixture. Furthermore, Everton’s poor away form is a concern, with no away win in the league this season for Silva’s side.

Unlike last season under Chris Hughton, Brighton managed by Graham Potter are a good footballing side, with an expansive, passing style of football. They sometimes deploy a fairly attacking three man defence setup.

Partly as a result of the attractive football, Brighton can be open at times, which should suit Everton. Marco Silva’s side have struggled against the more negative, defensive, and less open teams this season, whilst being more successful against the more attacking opponents. Having conceded 24 shots against both Aston Villa and Chelsea, Brighton should be a side that Everton can create plenty of opportunities against.

Suggested line-up:

Following the success of Everton’s much-changed line-up against West Ham, I’d like to see Silva keep this team. Although very open, it should still be good enough to comfortably beat Brighton. Against the top sides, Silva will need to field a more defensive line-up. Luckily for Everton, Brighton’s creative midfielder, Aaron Mooy, is suspended.

Score prediction: Brighton 1-3 Everton

I hope Silva plays the same team as he did against West Ham, and I hope the players replicate the same performance. If so, Everton should comfortably win and create lots of chances in an open, fast-paced game.

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BILLY MINSHALL