As the Premier League season kicks off, Everton will face Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day, looking to maintain their unbeaten record against the Seagulls from last season. The Toffees managed to secure two hard-fought 1-1 draws against Roberto De Zerbi’s side in the previous campaign. However, this time, Everton will encounter a slightly different Brighton team, bolstered by new signings and a fresh tactical approach under De Zerbi.
Everton’s Opponents: New Faces at Brighton
Brighton enters the match with two high-profile additions who have made an immediate impact during pre-season. Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer, collectively worth £55 million, are set to play pivotal roles in the upcoming clash at Goodison Park.
Yankuba Minteh, signed from Newcastle United for approximately £30 million, has already shown his attacking prowess. The 20-year-old forward, who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord, delivered an impressive 11 goals and six assists. In pre-season, Minteh has continued to shine, scoring against Tokyo Verdy and contributing both a goal and an assist in Brighton’s 4-0 victory over Villarreal. Everton’s left-back, Vitalyi Mykolenko, will have a challenging task containing Minteh on the right flank.
Mats Wieffer, another significant signing from Feyenoord, cost Brighton £25 million. The 24-year-old midfielder, who played a crucial role in Feyenoord’s midfield with six goals and four assists last season, is expected to replace Pascal Gross in Brighton’s lineup. Wieffer has already shown his readiness, playing 62 minutes in the recent win against Villarreal. He is likely to start alongside the experienced James Milner, providing a strong midfield presence for Brighton.
Brighton’s Goalkeeping Dilemma
Despite their strong lineup, Brighton will be without their Dutch goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, who is sidelined due to an injury. Verbruggen, who impressed at Euro 2024, was ruled out for up to six weeks in July, leaving Jason Steele to step in as the starting goalkeeper. Verbruggen’s absence may offer Everton a slight advantage as they look to capitalize on any defensive vulnerabilities.
Everton’s Strategy
As Everton prepares to welcome Brighton to Goodison Park, they will rely on their resilience and experience from last season’s encounters. With Brighton’s new signings eager to make their mark, Everton will need to be defensively solid and take advantage of any opportunities that arise, particularly with Brighton’s starting goalkeeper out of action.
