Everton failed to live up to the expectations of their fans in their Premier League 2025/26 opener when they lost 1-0 to Leeds United last Monday at Elland Road.
However, on Sunday, the Toffees will play their first league fixture at their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, known as the Hill Dickinson Stadium, when they will take the field against Brighton & Hove Albion.
While Everton will be looking to bounce back from their underwhelming display against Leeds, Brighton were only moments away from winning against Fulham, but Rodrigo Muniz’s late goal meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Despite the disappointing result, the Seagulls were pretty impressive on their opening night, and Fabian Hurzeler will hope to build on that in their first away trip of the new season.
Brighton have an exceptional record against the Toffees away from home as they are unbeaten in their last four visits. However, this time, things will be different for both teams as they will play at the new venue where even Everton may take time to adjust to their surroundings.
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Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion lineups: Starting XI, team news
Everton continue to miss star defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who is out with a hamstring injury. Michael Keane keeps his place in the backline.
Nathan Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko are still out, so James Garner is expected to start at left-back.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish gets his first start for Everton after coming off the bench in the second half against Leeds. The Manchester City loanee will look to pair up with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye to handle the creative output for Moyes’ men. Thierno Barry gets the nod ahead of Beto.
Everton starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pickford (GK) — O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner — Gueye, Iroegbunam — Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye — Barry
Everton subs: Travers, McNeil, Beto, Chermiti, Coleman, Alcaraz, Aznou, Armstrong, Onyango
Injured: Branthwaite (hamstring), Patterson (groin), Mykolenko (doubtful)
Suspended: None
Hurzeler has had more injury concerns than his counterparts and both Adam Webster and Solly March remain sidelined with injuries and will miss this fixture. However, Jack Hinshelwood has recovered from a knock and is back on the bench.
Hurzeler has shown trust in Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk at the heart of the defense while new signing Maxim De Cuyper, who had a decent debut against Fulham, starts at left-back.
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Manchester United target Carlos Baleba could play a big role in determining Brighton’s authority in the middle of the park.
Matt O’Riley, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh will be responsible for creating chances for Danny Welbeck, who starts up front.
Julio Enciso has moved on from Brighton to join BlueCo-owned Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
Brighton & Hove Albion starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Verbruggen (GK) — Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper — Baleba, Ayari — Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma — Welbeck
Brighton subs: Steele, Gruda, Hinshelwood, Milner, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Veltman, Coppola
Injured: March (knee), Webster (knee), Kostoulas (match fitness)
Suspended: None
Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion match details
- Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
- Kickoff time: 2 p.m. local / 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT
- Location: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool (England)
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
- VAR: James Bell
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