Everton bid to start the year with a much-needed victory after a torrid run that has resulted in one win from their past 11 matches. Rafael Benítez is under significant pressure from supporters sceptical from the outset owing to his Liverpool history. Their last match, on 16 December, was a draw at Chelsea, but Benítez needs wins to quieten the discontent at Goodison. By a strange quirk of fate, Brighton’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday was the exact same outcome as Everton’s most recent game. Graham Potter’s side are in much better shape than their opponents, however, with Danny Welbeck’s equaliser lifting them into the top half of the table. Simon Mail
Sunday 2pm
Venue Goodison Park
Last season Everton 4 Brighton 2
Referee John Brooks
This season G1 Y5 R0 5 cards/game
Odds H 7-4 A 15-8 D 9-4
EVERTON
Subs from Begovic, Tyrer, Lonergan, Kenny, Digne, Delph, Gbamin, Iwobi, Simms, Dobbin, Tosun, Whitaker, Onyango, Welch, Davies
Doubtful Davies (knee), Digne (illness), Gray (illness), Delph (illness)
Injured Richarlison (calf, 15 Jan), Miba (calf, unknown), Townsend (ankle, unknown), Rondón (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y35 R1
Form LLLWLD
Leading scorer Gray 5
BRIGHTON
Subs from Scherpen, Steele, Webster, Connolly, Welbeck, Trossard, Moder, Alzate, Ferguson, Richards, Duffy
Doubtful None
Injured Dunk (knee, 23 Jan), Sarmiento (hamstring, unknown), Locadia (Covid, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y40 R1
Form DDDLWD
Leading scorer Maupay 7
