Everton FC
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
Everton aiming to bounce back from poor form against safe from relegation side Crystal Palace
Everton to win 1-0
Everton entered the International break with their dreams of a top four finish seemingly unlikely after losing both against Chelsea and Burnley. They were also comfortably beaten in their FA Cup quarter final against Manchester City.
The gap to Chelsea in 4th is now five points, and there are the likes of Spurs, Liverpool and West Ham also challenging for that privilege.
They’ve looked a little leggy in recent weeks, with a long season appearing to catch up with them. If they can get back to winning ways here, it may give them an outside chance, although their home form has been poor.
Crystal Palace appear to be safe in the Premier League for another season after picking up two wins and two draws from their last five matches, pulling ahead of the chasing pack into a comfortable 12th place.
Will they still have the fight for this one knowing that there is little left for them to play for?
Form Guide (all comps): WWLLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Palace
They need three points from their remaining nine fixtures to equal last season’s tally
Reasons to be fearful:
Poor home record has seen them lose seven of past 11 games
On the verge of losing four on the bounce in all competitions
Everton really have gone through a season of mixed fortunes.
Having tasted life at the top for several weeks, they’ve zipped up and down the table in very inconsistent fashion, though have been a team which has produced good quality throughout despite mixed results.
When compared to last season, they’re only three points away from that tally, with nine games still to play, so there is certainly improvement there. There is still an outside chance of finishing in the top four, but a top six finish now feels like the most likely challenge for the Toffees.
Here, James Rodriguez is available after fitness issues, although goalkeeper will remain absent, with Robin Olsen therefore standing in once more.
Star Man – Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Scored in Everton’s most recent league game, as well as grabbing a couple on England duty. Should be coming into this one in good form.
Form Guide (all comps): WDDLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
One defeat from five has all but secured survival
Could achieve their highest ever points total this season
Reasons to be fearful:
Just one away clean sheet this season
Little to play for
The main question surrounding Crystal Palace football club right now is not whether they will be in the Premier League next season, but rather who their manager will be.
Roy Hodgson has done a wonderful job at the club over the past four seasons, keeping Palace in the league when many other clubs of their size have been relegated. There has been little talk of renewing his contract as of yet, however – one which runs out in the summer.
Regardless, they’ve been good this season, and could better their record points tally, should they earn a further 12 points from their remaining nine fixtures.
The question here is whether they’ll be completely at the top of their game, knowing that they have little to play for, whereas Everton are still chasing European football.
Star Man – Luka Milivojević
The Palace captain has been in top form in recent weeks, scoring and assisting in games against West Brom and Spurs.
Reasonably even contest
Everton should make their superior quality count
The Toffees are slight favourites
The deciding factor in this game will be whether or not Everton have shaken off their disappointing form of late.
They’ve lost their last three games in all competitions, and looked a shadow of their former selves. If they can get their strikers firing on all cylinders they should have too much for Palace here.
Everton to win 1-0
