Match Overview

Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Everton to the American Express Stadium for a midseason Premier League meeting with points and momentum on the line. The reverse fixture in August ended 2-0 to Everton, shaped by incisive counter-attacks. Brighton’s patient, possession-led approach at home contrasts with Everton’s recent defensive resilience, setting up a tactical battle. With a narrow points gap between the sides, a result here could influence the trajectory of both campaigns.

• Fixture: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: American Express Stadium (Falmer, East Sussex)
• Date: 31-01-2026
• Kickoff: 15:00 GMT / 15:00 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Brighton & Hove Albion

• B. Verbruggen
• J. van Hecke
• L. Dunk
• F. Kadioglu
• M. De Cuyper
• Y. Ayari
• D. Gómez
• C. Baleba
• J. Hinshelwood
• D. Welbeck
• Y. Minteh

Everton

• J. Pickford
• J. Tarkowski
• J. O’Brien
• V. Mykolenko
• M. Keane
• J. Garner
• I. Gueye
• D. McNeil
• M. Röhl
• T. Barry
• I. Ndiaye

Injury & Suspension Report

Brighton & Hove Albion

• B. Gruda – Injury
• S. Tzimas – Knee Injury
• A. Webster – Knee Injury
• S. March – Knee Injury
• M. Wieffer – Toe Injury

Everton

• J. Grealish – Foot Injury
• T. Iroegbunam – Lacking Match Fitness

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings between these clubs have produced goals, averaging 3.11 per game across the last nine encounters. Historically, Everton hold the edge with 13 wins from 26 meetings, while Brighton have 6 victories and there have been 7 draws. The August clash finished 2-0 to Everton, underlining their counter-attacking threat.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Brighton’s home pattern is defined by control and a measured tempo, returning seven goals across their last five fixtures at the Amex. Danny Welbeck remains a central reference, with eight league goals this season and four at home, profiting from quick movements in tight areas. Yasin Ayari’s line-breaking passes complement that profile, offering progression into the final third. A narrow 1-2 loss to Fulham shows both the threat Brighton carry and the fine margins they navigate.

Everton bring a contrasting set of indicators. They have scored seven times in their last five outings and drew 1-1 with Leeds, where Tom Davies found the net. Defensive metrics are mixed: Jordan Pickford’s influence is clear with six recent clean sheets and nine shutouts across 27 matches this season, yet the Toffees have struggled for wins against similarly ranked opposition, conceding around three goals on average in those games.

Brighton’s Seagulls eye a pivotal leap over Everton as Amex crowd readies for a high-stakes Premier League tussle.

The gap between the sides is narrow, adding emphasis to control phases and set-piece execution. Brighton’s possession and pressing can pin Everton back, but they must guard against transitions that hurt them in August. Team availability could shape the bench and defensive stability for the hosts, with B. Gruda, S. Tzimas, A. Webster, S. March and M. Wieffer unavailable.

Tactically, expect Brighton to circulate through midfield and work overloads to release Welbeck and Y. Minteh, with Ayari providing forward passes into zones between lines. Everton’s route lies in compact spacing in front of Pickford and direct breaks to I. Ndiaye and T. Barry, supported by deliveries from D. McNeil. The head-to-head trend points to chances at both ends, but Everton’s recent clean-sheet record suggests this could be tighter than history indicates.

Prediction: Draw. Brighton’s control and Welbeck’s movement should create opportunities, but Everton’s defensive resilience and counter threat point to a 1-1 outcome.