Everton take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this afternoon.
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Brighton and Hove Albion will draw 1-1 with visitors Everton at the Amex Stadium this afternoon.
Hosts Brighton head into the game having lost 2-0 away at Arsenal before the international break, but they are now back in front of their own fans as they take on Everton.
The Seagulls have won just twice in the Premier League this season, with both of those victories coming at home against West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United.
Manager Chris Hughton will be looking to make it three home wins this afternoon, and such a result would pile the pressure on Everton manager Ronald Koeman.
Koeman saw his side lose 1-0 at home to Burnley before the international break, meaning it’s now four defeats in the first seven games for Everton as they struggle for form.
After splashing the cash on signings such as Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney, fans were excited about the season ahead – but now, Koeman finds himself under huge pressure to turn things around.
Ahead of today’s trip to the Amex Stadium, Everton boss Koeman has been criticised by pundit Mark Lawrenson, who has told BBC Sport that he thinks the Dutchman’s decision to play Sigurdsson on the left of midfield is ultimately wasting his talents.
Lawrenson added that he thinks Everton may face a challenge when it comes to breaking down a solid Brighton side under Chris Hughton, and he is predicting a 1-1 draw between the two teams.
“It’s obvious Everton are lacking a striker, so they have do the best with what they have got until January,” said Lawrenson. “But Toffees manager Ronald Koeman can do something about his other attacking issue, which is the lack of balance in his side. Koeman has got three players who want to play the number 10 role behind the striker – Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen. Playing Sigurdsson on the left, which has been happening, does not get the best out of him or give Everton the width they need to be more of an attacking threat. The challenge for Everton on Sunday will be to break Brighton down, because they are not a team that gives very much away.”
“Seagulls boss Chris Hughton has got a very pragmatic approach and I don’t think he will have been too bothered about his side’s defeat at Arsenal before the international break. That was a game Hughton would not have expected to get anything out of, while I think he will have this one down as a match that his team should not lose,” he added.
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