Everton are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, hosting Brighton and Hove Albion in the first Premier League game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes is heading into a truly historic day as Everton boss.
The Toffees play their first Premier League game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and fans are looking for a big response.
Everton were beaten 1-0 at Leeds United on Monday night, falling to a disappointing defeat at Elland Road.
Moyes needs to bring a response, but he comes up against a Brighton and Hove Albion side who won 3-0 away at Everton last season.
Fabian Hurzeler is expecting a rowdy atmosphere and is looking for a win of his own, following Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend.
Everton boss David Moyes and Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Paul Merson’s prediction for Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton were leading heading into stoppage time, but Rodrigo Muniz popped up with a late, late leveller.
Draws have been a common theme under Hurzeler, and the Albion boss will hope for better fortunes on the road this weekend.
This promises to be a special occasion in Everton’s new home, and pundit Paul Merson has shared his prediction for the game.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson suggested that this is a ‘really dangerous game’ for Everton to kick off with at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Merson seemingly believes that Brighton could ruin the occasion, even if he doesn’t believe the Seagulls are as good as they have been in years past.
Merson noted that both Everton and Brighton endured disappointing results last weekend, but is backing the Toffees to grind out a 1-0 victory.
“Everton had a really bad result last time out, it was shocking,” said Merson.
“I don’t think Brighton had the best game either against Fulham, who grabbed a point at the end. Everton don’t look like they’re capable of scoring tons of goals, so that could be a problem for David Moyes. It’s a new stadium they have to get used to here as well, so I’m not sure how much ‘home advantage’ they can rely on at the moment.
“Although I must admit Brighton are not the team they were last season. If you keep selling your best players all the time, sooner or later, it will catch up with you, and I think it showed last weekend against Fulham.
“I think this is a really dangerous game for Everton to kick off proceedings in their stadium. But I’m still going to back them to beat Brighton by a narrow margin,” he added.
Chris Sutton on Everton v Brighton
Merson is predicting a narrow Everton victory, but fellow pundit Chris Sutton simply cannot agree.
Speaking on BBC Sport, Sutton admitted his belief that Everton have ultimately become a touch underrated.
Gary Neville was left stunned by Everton fans predicting a ninth-place finish this season, believing the Toffees are way short of that right now.
Sutton seemingly concurs, suggesting that the form under Moyes last season has created a ‘false picture’ around Everton.
Sutton is predicting a 2-1 Brighton victory, believing that they will be ‘party poopers’ in Everton’s new home.
“I’ve said this on many occasions. Everton overachieved last season. It’s painted a false picture as to where they currently are,” said Sutton.
“They didn’t offer a lot the other night against Leeds. Sorry, Everton fans, but I’ve just got a feeling Brighton will play party poopers in the first Premier League game at Everton’s new stadium,” he added.