Premier League: Everton vs Brighton preview 08/24/2025


Match Overview & Significance

Date & Kick-off: Sunday, August 24, 2025 — approximately 13:00 UTC / 9:00 a.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. GMT
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool — Everton’s spectacular new home (capacity ~52,769) which officially opened earlier in 2025, marking the end of their storied tenure at Goodison Park

This match holds special significance—it's Everton’s first-ever league fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium, ending more than a century at Goodison Park. Manager David Moyes and his players will be desperate to light up the occasion with a win in front of a passionate home crowd.

Brighton travel to Liverpool seeking consistency. Under new manager Fabian Hürzeler—the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history at just 31—Brighton finished a respectable 8th last season and begin the season in search of momentum.

 

Team News & Possible Line-Ups

Everton

  • Injuries & Absentees:
    • Out: Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Nathan Patterson (groin), Vitaliy Mykolenko (fitness concerns)
    • Doubtful: Adam Aznou — returning to training and a selection dilemma.
  • Key Addition:
    • Jack Grealish, on loan from Manchester City, looms large. Having shown glimpses of creativity and quality, Moyes and captain James Tarkowski believe he’ll thrive in a starring role.
  • Likely XI (4-2-3-1):
    • GK: Jordan Pickford
    • DEF: (R-L) O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, (possibly) Aznou or Garner sliding wide
    • MID-DOUBLE: Boubacar Gueye & Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
    • ATTACKERS: Jack Grealish (central #10) flanked by Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall pushing box-to-box
    • STRIKER: Beto to lead the line.

Brighton & Hove Albion

  • Injuries:
    • Out: Adam Webster, Solly March, Julio Enciso (knee issues)
  • Doubtful: Jack Hinshelwood, Charalampos Kostoulas (fitness/knock)
  • Key Player:
    • Matt O’Riley — instrumental in their 1-1 draw at Fulham, and a dominant presence in midfield.
  • Likely XI (4-2-3-1):
    • GK: Verbruggen
    • DEF: De Cuyper, Dunk, Van Hecke, Wieffer
    • MID: Baleba & O’Riley
    • Attacking Trio: Mitoma, Rutter (or alternative), and Minteh
    • STRIKER: Rutter or similar.

 

Head-to-Head: Everton vs Brighton

  • Overall Record:
    • Total meetings: 27 — Everton won 12; Brighton 7; Draws 8
  • Recent Encounters:
    • Everton’s 1-0 win at Brighton in January 2025. Lee past clash: Brighton’s 3-0 win at Goodison in August 2024
    • Over the last 10 Premier League meetings: mutual exchanges, with Everton holding a slight edge
  • Broader Stats (Soccerway):
    • Everton: 11 wins from 24; Brighton: 6 wins; 7 draws. Everton scored 41 goals, conceded 32; Brighton scored 32, conceded 41

 

Tactical & Match Narrative

Everton

Moyes will look to blend defensive solidity with attacking flair. Playing in front of their new stadium’s adoring crowd, Everton must avoid another sluggish start like their opener against Leeds. A compact midfield pairing of Gueye and Dewsbury-Hall will aim to stifle Brighton’s rhythm, while Grealish provides the creative spark. Beto leads the line, with Ndiaye and supporters eager to capitalize on attacking transitions.

Brighton

Hürzeler’s Brighton likely opt for controlled possession and midfield control through Baleba and O’Riley. Defensive omissions may prompt a reshuffle, but they’ll aim for discipline and to strike in transitions. O’Riley’s form is critical—his influence could nullify Everton’s midfield intent.

The injury list may tilt balance—Everton without key defenders like Branthwaite and Mykolenko; Brighton missing Webster and Enciso. Set-pieces and aerial duels could decide close-battle strategy.

 

Live Broadcast & Streaming Info

  • India: JioTV / Star Sports
  • UK: TNT Sports and Sky Sports.
  • USA: NBC Sports and streaming on NBC.com; alternative on Peacock.
  • Global Options: Fubo in Canada; Optus Sport in Australia; Sky Sport Now in New Zealand; VPN guidance by FourFourTwo.