Everton host Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday at Goodison Park in the first Premier League game of 2023 for both clubs.
There was temporary respite for Frank Lampard as his Everton side claimed an unlikely draw at the Etihad on New Year's Eve.
Match preview
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It was a happy ending to a very difficult 2022 for Everton, as they took a point away at Manchester City in their last fixture.
Other results went their way as well, as the majority of sides near the relegation zone all lost, so they were able to move an extra point clear of danger.
There were positives to take from the game at Man City, including the performance of Ben Godfrey, who impressed on his full return from a broken ankle.
However, the same issues are still prevalent as Lampard's side remain toothless in attack.
Demarai Gray's wonder goal was their first shot of the game at the Etihad, and that came in the 64th minute, and their goal versus Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day came from a corner.
It is not a sustainable way to play going forward, especially against sides where they must take the initiative and play on the front foot.
That excellent result down the M62 in Manchester will count for nothing though if Everton fall to a third successive home defeat here.
Brighton put up a good fight against league leaders Arsenal themselves on New Year's Eve, but a Kaoru Mitoma-inspired fightback was not enough for any points.
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That 4-2 defeat had promising signs in it though, and they remain one of the most entertaining sides in the division.
While their defensive stability has obviously suffered under Roberto De Zerbi's new style of play, the issue of being unable to score regularly which they had under Graham Potter has disappeared.
Players who have not been prolific in recent years are starting to find form in front of goal under the Italian boss.
Pascal Gross, Adam Lallana and Alexis Mac Allister have all either matched or bettered their scoring return from last season already, while top scorer Leandro Trossard is one goal away from matching his tally from the last campaign.
Trossard has fond recent memories of playing on Merseyside too, having netted a stunning hat-trick at Anfield in De Zerbi's first game in charge back in October.
Defeat to Arsenal saw the Seagulls drop below Fulham, but they remain in the top half and will fancy their chances at Goodison.
Team News
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Everton will be without midfielder Amadou Onana after the Belgian picked up his fifth booking of the season at Man City.
Abdoulaye Doucoure or Tom Davies will be vying to take his place in the side here at Goodison, while Anthony Gordon may struggle to get back into the starting XI after missing the New Year's Eve draw with illness.
Lampard has a decision to make about whether to stick with the 5-3-2 formation which worked so well at the Etihad or revert to a more offensive 4-5-1 against weaker opponents.
All five defenders were solid and it will be difficult to drop any of them, especially with limited, in-form attacking options.
Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster missed Brighton's game with Arsenal, and while the former is closer to a return, both are big doubts.
Mac Allister is back in Brighton following World Cup success and could be involved, given many of his fellow teammates have returned to action in the past week.
Moises Caicedo will return in midfield for the visitors after serving a one-game suspension on New Year's Eve.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Patterson, Godfrey, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Gueye, Iwobi; Gray, Calvert-Lewin
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Lamptey, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Lallana, Mitoma; Trossard
We say: Everton 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton may be stuck between two game plans as their defensive strategy worked so well against Man City, but they must show more ambition in attack in front of a home crowd.
Brighton know exactly what they will do though, and they do it very well, but Everton's defence has been a strong point so it will be an interesting battle.
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