Other than the disappointing League Cup exit at the hands of Southampton, the Eagles travel to Goodison Park in good spirits.
After a slow start to the season, Palace now find themselves on a four game unbeaten run of form going into the match up and Alan Pardew will be keen to remain unbeaten heading into the international break.
New Everton boss Ronald Koeman will be looking for a reaction from his players after suffering their first Premier League loss of the season at Bournemouth at the weekend. The Toffees have been in impressive form leading up to their trip to the South Coast and many predict a high finish for them come the end of the season.
TEAM NEWS
CRYSTAL PALACE – The latest addition to the treatment room is Jonathan Benteke (knee) who is reportedly out for four months. He joins Scott Dann (hamstring), Pape Souare (leg) and Loic Remy (thigh) who will all sit this game out. Wilfried Zaha should return to the starting line up after missing the win at Sunderland with a hamstring strain.
EVERTON – Leighton Baines (hamstring), James McCarthy (groin), Darren Gibson (groin), Muhamed Besic (knee), Matthew Pennington (hamstring) and Tyias Browning (knee) will all miss this match up.
ACTION REPLAY
The two sides last met in April as the 2015/16 season was drawing to a close. It was a quite uninspiring affair as neither team could find the net. Palace could not take advantage of James McCarthy being handed a second booking shortly into the second half. The Who Scored man of the match was Jason Puncheon (9.0).
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 13/04/2016: Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
- 07/12/2015: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
- 31/05/2015: Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton
- 21/09/2014: Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace
- 16/04/2014: Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace
The Eagles have fared better away from home in this fixture as they are unbeaten in the last three trips to Goodison Park, winning two and drawing one. In all three of those games, both teams managed to score with an incredible combined total of twelve goals.
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 24/09/2016 Sunderland 2-3 Crystal Palace
- 21/09/2016 Southampton 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 18/09/2016 Crystal Palace 4-1 Stoke City
- 10/09/2016 Middlesbrough 1-2 Crystal Palace
- 27/08/2016 Crystal Palace 1-1 Crystal Palace
Last FIVE results for Everton;
- 24/09/2016 Bournemouth 1-0 Everton
- 20/09/2016 Everton 0-2 Norwich City
- 17/09/2016 Everton 3-1 Middlesbrough
- 12/09/2016 Sunderland 0-3 Everton
- 27/08/2016 Everton 1-0 Stoke City
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Romelu Lukaku (7.69)
- Jason Puncheon (7.67)
- Andros Townsend (7.65)
- Idrissa Gueye (7.56)
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
“I am so lucky to have this football club where it is right now, the chairman and I have a great relationship. They have shown me great faith and I have a team I have a good feeling about. This is where I want to be.” – ALAN PARDEW courtesy of BBC Sport
“You learn every day about players, about wins and about defeats. We want a reaction but one defeat in six is not bad. Win and we are second in the table, more than anyone expected.” – RONALD KOEMAN courtesy of BBC Sport
ONE TO WATCH
IDRISSA GANA GUEYE
Twenty-seven year old Senegalese defensive midfielder made his name in Ligue 1 with Lille for who he made over 100 appearances following a move from Senegal side Diambars. Aston Villa recruited his services in July 2015 and after making thirty-five appearances for the Villains he signed a four year deal with Everton following relegation. The Dakar born player has made thirty-three international appearances and has represented his country at the 2012 Olympics in London as well as the 2015 African Cup Of Nations.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 6th
The Goodison Park faithful long for a return to the successes of the eighties after a long period of underachievement. With Dutchman Ronald Koeman at the helm, there are early signs that there is plenty to be excited about. The former Saints boss has instilled an air of professionalism on and off the pitch as the former Dutch international makes his mark on Merseyside. The recruitment over the summer has been good but retaining the services of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku could prove pivotal to any success that they may achieve.
- TEB prediction – draw
- Mark Lawrenson (BBC Sport) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – draw
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 3/4
- Draw 13/5
- Away 4/1
- Both teams to score 4/6
