Both Everton & Brighton & Hove Albion will be bidding to get up and running at the first attempt in this season’s Premier League when the pair do battle at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
Despite being hit with two separate points deductions for breaching financial regulations last season, Sean Dyche steered the Toffees to a commendable 15th-placed finish.
Last season’s great escape means Everton remain just one of six clubs to have never been relegated from the Premier League since its inception in 1992.
With Goodison Park set to close its doors for good at the end of the season, the Blues faithful will be hoping their side can give the famous old ground the send-off it deserves.
Brighton, meanwhile, is set to embark on a new era under the latest manager, Fabian Hurzeler, who will become the youngest-ever full-time boss of a Premier League club.
Having taken the Seagulls on a European adventure last season, Roberto de Zerbi has left big shoes to fill for his successor at the Amex.
How the bookies view it: Toffees to taste opening day success
Everton, who ended last season with five straight home wins in the Premier League, are 29/20 favourites with Bet 365 on Saturday. An alternative angle of attack that holds appeal is Everton Double Chance and Under Four Match Goals at even-money (Bet 365) – a combination that clicked in each of the Toffees’ final five Premier League home games last season.
Brighton triumphed in just one of their final 13 top-flight road trips last term and the bookmakers’ odds suggest that travel sickness will continue, with a Seagulls success on offer at 15/8 (Bet 365) while the draw can be backed at a best price of 13/5 (William Hill).
Head to head: Third stalemate in succession?
Both Premier League meetings between the pair last season ended in 1-1 draws. The same scoreline on Saturday can be backed at 6/1 on Bet 365. It’s also worth noting that Brighton have avoided defeat in each of their last three visits to Goodison Park.
Players to watch: Calvert-Lewin to kick on?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended last season with four goals across his final seven appearances of the campaign. The Toffees hitman is as big as 11/5 (Bet 365) to strike on Saturday.
If named in the starting XI for Brighton, expect to see James Milner in the thick of the midfield battle. The 38-year-old is an attractive 7/2 on Bet 365 to go into the referee's notebook.
Predicted line-ups
Everton boss Dyche could hand new recruits Jake O'Brien and Tim Iroegbunam their competitive debuts on Saturday afternoon.
Solly March, who missed the second half of last season due to injury, remains on the treatment table for Brighton.
Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko; Gueye, Iroegbunam, Docouré; Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, McNeil.
Brighton: Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Barco; Milner, Wieffer; Minteh, João Pedro, Mitoma, Welbeck.
Anything else catch the eye?
Dwight McNeil was a key performer for Everton last season when staving off the threat of relegation.
The Blues winger is an eye-catching even-money on Bet 365 to register a shot on target against Brighton on Saturday.
McNeil averaged 2.33 shots on target per game last season, making a solitary on-target effort against the Seagulls a nice slice of value at evens.
This English Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion will be played on Aug 17, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
