Life is about balance. You try not to get too high on the highs and too low on the lows. This is sound life advice and everyone should take it on board.
And then God created football and it went right out that big, inviting double-glazed window.
It’s a very exciting time to be an Everton fan. They probably can’t remember the last time they didn’t win a game of football. If they’re currently believing all the irrational nonsense that you allow yourself to at a base level, they’re better than Man City and going to land at least one major trophy for the first time in some time.
And yet with all of that optimism, sits a game against Brighton they could very easily lose and be back to square one again. It’s emotionally exhausting, isn’t it?
There was enough in the Seagulls’ 3-0 win over Newcastle to suggest these boys have something about them, and the growth of their players season-on-season is now evident to the point where people don’t expect them to be in a dogfight.
Everton need to be careful because is exactly the kind of game that Brighton would revel in – open spaces. Here are your three best bets.
Neal Maupay to Score Anytime
So, naturally, in this alternative universe we now live in there will always be value in taking the primary penalty taker for any side because the opposition generally have arms and may need to move them every now and then, which indiscriminately results in a spot-kick.
But even more to the point, Everton’s midfield can be slow to get back and fill in on a back three when Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman get nosebleeds. That means Maupay, whose biggest strength is delayed runs into the box during a break, can capitalise on glaring gaps that will continue to infuriate Carlo Ancelotti.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh to Have Three or More Shots
There’s rarely been a player, when he plays, who feels he can score more often than Alireza Jahanbkhsh.
He absolutely leathers them from all angles, and he’s dead right too. Regardless of what way this game goes, he’s either central to their counterattacks or he’s overly zealous when his side needs a goal. It’s a terrific source of entertainment seeing him tee one up, and now it’s even sweeter as it should land you in the money.
The Draw
It just feels like Everton have shown too many potential risks to continue this run of form, and Brighton play a brand of football that is so consistent they’ll constantly claw results out even when they’re not playing well.
This is more a narrative punt than an instinctual one – the kind of fixture you know you want to put into your acca, but you know you really shouldn’t. Well, I’m going to act as the voice in your head here by advising you in print – do not back Everton here, no matter the temptation. The draw is probable.
Everton v Brighton betting tips
Neal Maupay to Score Anytime
Alireza Jahanbakhsh to Have Three or More Shots
The Draw
- All odds are correct at the time of first publishing but are liable to change. However, all prices are bang up to date on our snazzy widgets
More tips
- Our 19/1 acca for Saturday’s footy across Europe
- Our trader’s 3/1 double for Saturday in the Premier League
- Werner to star for Chelsea in storming of the Palace at 12.30pm
- Four to win in the EFL: Our 33/1 acca for Saturday’s games in the Championship, L1 and L2
- Raheem to put in Sterling show as Man City head to Leeds
- Wilson the talk of the Toon in our 18/1 Same Game Multi for Burnley clash
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