In the upcoming clash, Everton manager Sean Dyche will be looking to secure a victory in his first competitive game as Brighton & Hove Albion head coach when the Seagulls travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in their opening fixture of the 2024-25 Premier League season on Saturday afternoon. Neither team could be separated when they faced off last season, as they were forced to share the spoils twice in two 1-1 draws.
One of the six teams who have never been relegated from the Premier League since its inception in 1992, Everton are now gearing up for what is set to be an emotional 2024-25 campaign, as it will represent their last at Goodison Park before they move into their new multi-million pound stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. While many teams decided to travel far across the globe for pre-season, Everton stayed in the UK and took part in five friendly fixtures over the summer, winning one, drawing two and losing two; they most recently played out a 1-1 draw with Serie A outfit Roma on home soil last weekend. The Toffees now head into Saturday’s contest having lost their opening Premier League fixture in each of the last two seasons, while they are also winless in their last three home meetings with Brighton having previously won each of their first four in the Premier League era.
Brighton are preparing for their eighth consecutive season as a Premier League club and their first under the guidance of new head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who at the age of just 31 will become the youngest manager in the division’s history this weekend. The Seagulls have wasted no time adapting to Hurzeler’s demands as they registered four wins from four pre-season matches by an aggregate score of 14-3, most recently thrashing La Liga side Villarreal 4-0 at the Amex Stadium last weekend. Brighton will fancy their chances of continuing their strong run of form against Everton on Saturday, as they have won their opening Premier League game in each of the last three seasons; never before have they won their opening league match in four successive campaigns.
The excitement for this clash is building up, with both teams eager to start their season on a high note. It will be interesting to see how the new managers fare in their first competitive game, as well as how the players perform on the pitch. Fans are in for an exciting fixture as the battle between Everton and Brighton unfolds at Goodison Park.
