The Premier League returns after an international break which has confirmed the line up for the World Cup in Russia next summer.
Before we start to look ahead to the biggest sporting event in the world, there is plenty of domestic football to be played and more importantly for Palace, a relegation zone to escape from.
The same can be said for this weekend’s visitors from the blue half of Merseyside. The Toffeemen travel to South London without a manager (at the time of writing) following the sacking of Dutchman Ronald Koeman. Caretaker manager David Unsworth saw his side take all three points in a quite bizarre game against Watford before the international break which will give them some much needed confidence.
In contrast, the Eagles narrowly lost out at Wembley to a fortunate Spurs side in what was a very good performance but without reward. Boss Roy Hodgson will be keen to start a run of favourable fixtures with a positive result particularly against fellow early season strugglers Everton.
In what will be a huge boost to the hosts will be the return of striker Christian Benteke from a knee injury, a position that Palace have really suffered with the Belgian missing from the side. He will have a big part to play as will Ruben Loftus-Cheek if used in the right way after excelling for England at the weekend.
TEAM NEWS
CRYSTAL PALACE – Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back) is a major doubt while Patrick van Aanholt (hamstring) is expected to be available. Lee Chung-yong (muscle) and Connor Wickham (knee) are unlikely to feature.
EVERTON – Tom Davies (hamstring) is a slight doubt while Cuco Martina (concussion) James McCarthy (hamstring), Ross Barkley (hamstring), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), Seamus Coleman (leg) and Yannick Bolasie (knee) are all expected to continue to miss out.
ACTION REPLAY
In the previous meeting between the two sides, Everton took all three points in a Premier League game at Selhurst Park in January. The only goal of the game was scored by Seamus Coleman just three minutes from time.
Who Scored man of the match – Seamus Coleman
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 21/01/2017 Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton
- 30/09/2016 Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
- 13/04/2016 Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
- 07/12/2015 Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
- 31/01/2015 Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 05/11/2017 Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 28/10/2017 Crystal Palace 2-2 West Ham United
- 24/10/2017 Bristol City 4-1 Crystal Palace
- 21/10/2017 Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 14/10/2017 Crystal Palace 2-1 Chelsea
Last FIVE results for Everton;
- 05/11/2017 Everton 3-2 Watford
- 02/11/2017 Lyon 3-0 Everton
- 29/10/2017 Leicester City 2-0 Everton
- 25/10/2017 Chelsea 2-1 Everton
- 22/10/2017 Everton 2-5 Arsenal
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek 6.89
- Michael Keane 6.88
- Andros Townsend 6.87
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6.77
ONE TO WATCH
MICHAEL KEANE
Former clubs – Manchester United, Leicester City (loan), Derby County (loan), Blackburn Rovers (loan), Burnley
The central defender joined the your academy at Old Trafford in 2009 but only ever made one first team appearance for the club. After several loan spells, the 24 year old joined Burnley on an initial loan deal which was made permanent in 2015. He went on to make 90 appearances for the club before signing for Everton in the summer. So far, the Stockport born player has four international caps and is destined for many more during his career.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 14th
A lot will depend on who is appointed to replace the sacked Koeman but it will take time to recover from what has been a traumatic start to the season. There is enough about this squad of players to suggest that with the right guidance they will lift themselves away from their current league position. That will require some good form and application as this is a tough division and no game is easy particularly from those players that have yet to show Everton fans their worth yet this season.
- TEB prediction – home win
- Royal Blue Mersey prediction (see link below) – away win
- Who Scored prediction – draw
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 7/5
- Draw – 9/4
- Away – 21/10
- Both teams to score – 5/6
Find out what the guys at Royal Blue Mersey told TEB this week in The Everton View
