Opposition Lowdown: Everton

Brighton & Hove Albion travel to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon to play Everton in the Premier League, and here’s a statistical look at how Sam Allardyce’s team have performed this season.

The Toffees currently sit level on points [34] with the Seagulls but one place behind in 11th after 29 matches played - winning nine, drawing seven and losing 13 games throughout the season.

Albion’s goal difference of -10 puts them in front of Everton, who sit on -16 after scoring 33 goals but conceding 49 times. Six of those goals conceded [12%] have come from set-pieces.

Idrissa Gueye emphatically leads the way when it comes to passing - the Senegalese midfielder has made 1,241 pass so far this season, over 250 more than closest rivals Jordan Pickford and Wayne Rooney.

Gueye also tops the Everton charts in both tackles and interceptions - which shows how important the hard-working midfielder has been for the Toffees this season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has won over 40 more aerial duels than central defenders Michael Keane and Ashley Williams, and has also recorded the most shots [39] for the Merseyside club.

Everton’s top goalscorer, Rooney, has ten goals from his 34 shots this season, but the striker was only used as a second-half substitute when Allardyce’s team lost 2-1 against Burnley at Turf Moor last weekend.

Outside the top six, only Everton have a better home record than the Seagulls this season - taking 26 points from a possible 42, while recording a win percentage of 57% at Goodison Park.

But Albion can take confidence from the fact 24% of Everton’s goals conceded have come in the final ten minutes of matches at home - an area the Seagulls will look to capitalise on this weekend.