A resurgent Brighton & Hove Albion outfit arrive at Goodison this weekend looking to make it four back-to-back wins in England’s top flight.
Everton’s very own three match winning streak was abruptly ended by Jon Moss and Manchester United last weekend.
The Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial… and a slight bit of controversy the mainstream media seem to have completely brushed aside.
But that is a story for another day.
There were encouraging signs in Manchester, but no points.
Marco Silva will be desperate to put that right and take all three against the Seagulls.
But the south coast side will be no pushovers, they come into this on the back of their third successive 1-0 victory.
West Ham, Newcastle and Wolves have all been left frustrated by Brighton in recent weeks, which has seen Chris Hughton’s outfit find themselves just a point behind the Toffees prior to kick-off.
Glenn Murray has got the plaudits, and rightly so, but the defensive pairing of Lewis Dunk and former Everton man Shane Duffy has proved a formidable force at the back.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is in fine form too, picking up man of the match in last weekend’s win over Wolves.
Everton’s frontline will have to produce something special if they are to unlock Brighton at the back.
The sides have only met on 13 occasions, Everton winning six times, whilst Brighton have got the better of Saturdays’ hosts twice.
One to watchÂ
The obvious candidate is that man Murray. The veteran striker has just netted his 100th goal for the Seagulls and despite recently turning 35, the forward doesn’t look like slowing down.
He bagged his 6th goal of the campaign last weekend, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eden Hazard have more in the Premier League.
Despite the good form of Michael Keane and Kurt Zouma, they’ll have to be at their best to keep Murray quiet.
Team newsÂ
The visitors will be without Davy Propper and Pascal Gross.
Everton will be without Jonjoe Kenny and Phil Jagielka.
Man in the middleÂ
David Coote of Nottinghamshire will take the whistle for this one.
This will be his third Premier League clash of the season, but in all competitions he has shown 31 yellow cards and three reds in eight games.