Everton lineup vs Brighton: Predicted XI for first competitive Hill Dickinson fixture

Everton fans will hope that their competitive debut at Hill Dickinson Stadium will also see new signing Jack Grealish make his first start for the club, when they host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday.

Grealish was only given the final 20 minutes in their 1-0 defeat at Leeds United on Monday night, in a rotten attacking display overall from David Moyes’s men, so the Everton manager could be forced into throwing the Manchester City loanee in for this one.

Iliman Ndiaye and Carlos Alcaraz were both ineffective at Elland Road, and frequently moved positions on a messy night for Everton, who were also forced into playing James Garner as a makeshift left-back.

Grealish’s introduction to the starting XI will likely push Ndiaye either centrally, or to the right flank, but with no update on an approach for Tyler Dibling, Everton remain without a natural right-winger in their squad.

Everton’s approach this time will likely come down to whether Adam Aznou can return from injury at left-back, otherwise Moyes will have to make do with a square peg in a round hole once again, with defensive numbers dwindling following Vitality Mykolenko's recent setback.

Nathan Patterson is set to return from injury soon, but Jake O’Brien will likely stay at right-back, with James Tarkowski in the centre alongside Michael Keane, who is in line for an extended spell in the side due to the injury suffered by Jarrad Branthwaite.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made his debut at Leeds, and started as a number 10, before dropping deeper, where he appeared to be more influential, after barely touching the ball in a difficult first half.

Striker Thierno Barry is expected to make his full debut for the club too, after Beto came in for heavy criticism for his display away at Elland Road, but Everton’s strongest spell did come with both of them on the pitch, shortly after going 1-0 down.

Everton possible starting lineup:

Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner; Gueye, Iroegbunam; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

Click here to see how Brighton could line up on Sunday.