Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton, Sunday October 15, 13:30 (BST)
The Premier League returns this weekend, with two of the division's early-season strugglers due to face off at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
Sitting 14th and 16th respectively, Brighton and Everton began the campaign with vastly different expectations, yet while the former may view preserving their Premier League status as the extent of their ambition this season, Ronald Koeman's misfiring outfit appear miles off achieving their own original brief of breaking into the top six.
The main problem for both the Seagulls and the Toffees has been a lack of potency in the final third. On the face of it, neither side seems capable of finding the net with any real regularity, with Romelu Lukaku's summer sale and the absence of Premier League proven strikers in the Brighton squad meaning that the two teams have mustered just nine goals between them so far this season.
And so with much riding on the outcome of the Sunday lunchtime - particularly for the under-fire Koeman - a tense, scrappy affair seems like being the order of the day on the South East coast come kick-off time.
Team news
Former Everton defender Shane Duffy is in line to keep his place at the heart of the Brighton defence following a series of impressive performances for Ireland during the international break. The imposing centre-back will likely partner Lewis Dunk as part of a relatively settled back four, although there remains some uncertainty as to who will start at left-back. Gaetan Bong and Markus Sutter are expected it out for the final berth in Hughton's defence.
Further forward though, the suspension of key striker Tomer Hemed leaves the Seagulls short of quality in attacking areas. Against Arsenal, on-loan Chelsea youngster Izzy Brown was tasked with replacing the Israel international, but the experienced Glenn Murray is waiting in the wings and is also an option to feature.
Elsewhere, big-money signing Davy Propper is a major doubt for the match after injuring his thigh on international duty, perhaps opening a door for one of last season's star men, Anthony Knockaert.
The main selection dilemma for Everton appears to be at centre-back, as Ashley Williams' poor run of form opens a door for fit-again captain Phil Jagielka. Indeed, given Williams' latest error in Wales' costly 1-0 home defeat to Ireland last week, it would be no surprise to see Koeman take the 33-year-old out of the firing line at the Amex.
There's also a slight doubt as to who will feature on the right of defence in the continued absence of Seamus Coleman. Cuco Martina appears to be the favourite to keep his place in the side, but the highly-rated Jonjoe Kenny may also come under consideration if the Dutchman plumps for more penetration from wide areas.
After a series of impressive displays, Dominic Calvert-Lewin should keep his place up front for the trip to the south coast, but with Koeman still searching for a solution to the Blues' barren run of form in front of goal, it remains to be seen whether Wayne Rooney or Oumar Niasse will get the nod to feature as the other member of an attack that should also consist of Gylfi Sigurdsson.
More pics from today's session at USM Finch Farm ➡️ .
What they said
Chris Hughton: "Is it a good time to play them? No. You have to look at the team and the players you are playing against.
"They've played four of the big teams in seven games and probably not started as they would have liked to.
"But with all good players and good teams they will turn it around - so if anything I look at it the other way round.
"They are playing a team that have just got promoted. They've had a difficult start as regards to the fixtures but they will do well this season with the quality they have got, and if anything that makes them even more dangerous."
Ronald Koeman: "We did not have a normal pre-season because we had to play fast to qualify for Europe. The schedule is so tough and you don’t have time to train or improve. And we had eight or nine new players and that takes time.
"It's difficult because everyone expected difficult results but I did not see my players between after the game against Burnley and either yesterday or today (Friday).
"You need a little bit of luck; you need to score the first goal in a game and we need to change that. The fastest way to change that is by being a professional and working hard."
Expected starting line-ups
Brighton: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; March, Stephens, Izquierdo, Gross, Knockaert; Murray
Everton: Pickford; Martina, Keane, Jagielka, Baines; Schneiderlin, Gueye, Davies; Rooney, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin
Prediction
This is a matchup between two teams low on confidence and shot-shy in front of goal; one that is, in truth, hardly likely to get pulses racing away from Merseyside and the south-east coast.
Three points, on this occasion, probably comes before all else for both Koeman and Hughton. Substance over style being the order of the day as the pair seek to get back on track in the league.
It won't be a classic by any stretch of the imagination, and with Everton without a win on the road since January, Brighton's home advantage can help them to another point on home turf.
Brighton 1-1 Everton
