Roberto De Zerbi revealed that Brighton and Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma is a doubt ahead of his side’s home clash against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday due to a back problem. Here’s how Last Word on Football predicts the Seagulls will line up.
Mitoma a Doubt: Brighton Predicted Lineup vs. Everton
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How Brighton Have Lined-up Recently
De Zerbi continues to rotate his goalkeepers alternating between Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele in the last eight games in all competitions.
Verbruggen has won all four matches he started in this period while Jason Steele has drawn two and lost two. However, Steele has picked up one more clean sheet in this run of games than the Dutchman.
Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke have been a mainstay in central defence for the Seagulls while injuries have seen a lack of consistency in the fullback position.
Billy Gilmour and Pascal Groß have struck up an effective partnership in central midfield starting the last 12 outings in all competitions.
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Facundo Buonanotte capitalised on injuries and players away on international duty and has established himself as a key member of the side, starting the last nine games and scoring three goals in his last five appearances.
Simon Adingra and Mitoma have impressed on their return to the side in recent weeks after international duty and Danny Welbeck looks to be De Zerbi’s first-choice striker in the absence of top scorer Joao Pedro.
Brighton Recent Form and Tactics
The Seagulls will be coming into this fixture with confidence after a 5-0 demolition of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last weekend.
Despite an early Mason Holgate red card somewhat determining the outcome of the game, wingers Mitoma and Adingra showed their importance to the side after their recent spells away with their countries.
The Ivorian scored two second-half goals on his return from Africa Cup of Nations glory. The Japanese international, on his second game back, was electric in one-on-one situations playing a key part in two of the goals and will be missed if he is unable to start on Saturday.
The victory saw the return of Polish international Jakub Moder who has had an injury-struck season after missing the entirety of the 2022/23 term through an ACL injury.
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De Zerbi’s side looked to have turned a corner. After going on a run of three Premier League games without a win and a goal, they have now won two of their last three scoring ten times in the process.
The only loss in this run came thanks to a last-minute winner scored by Brennan Johnson in their visit to Tottenham Hotspur as they lost 2-1 to Ange Postecoglou’s men.
A key tactical adjustment made by the manager in the two recent victories was a switch to a back three rather than a back four which he has deployed otherwise.
However, in the victory against Sheffield United, this was not rigid with right-wing back Adingra often remaining in an advanced position as they reverted to a back four out of possession in the first half.
Additionally, changes at half-time saw Groß look to drift from his central role to occupy and create from the right-back position when his side had the ball.
This fluidity and versatility of the players was crucial to Brighton’s domination and success in this match and De Zerbi may look to implement something similar this weekend.
Absentees To Consider
De Zerbi shared in Friday’s press conference that Mitoma suffered a problem with his back before the Sheffield United game. He said: “Their player [Mason Holgate] does not have any responsibility for the injury. I don’t know if he can play. We are used to playing without important players.”
However, the Italian was able to confirm that Julio Enciso, who made just two appearances this season before picking up a knee injury, will be available from the bench for this fixture.
Top scorer, Pedro remains out after picking up a hamstring injury ahead of the Spurs clash. The coach confirmed last week that the forward could return in early-mid March.
Academy graduate Hinshelwood will be out with a foot injury for around three months following surgery.
Brighton Predicted Lineup
GK: Bart Verbruggen
RB: Tariq Lamptey
CB: Jan Paul van Hecke
CB: Lewis Dunk
LB: Igor Julio
CM: Billy Gilmour
CM: Pascal Groß
RW: Facundo Buonanotte
CAM: Jakub Moder
LW: Simon Adingra
ST: Danny Welbeck
