Everton vs Crystal Palace
English Premier League.
Date: Friday, 30 September, 2016,
Kick-off at 20:00 UK
Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool.
Everton
A really promising start to the season had the Everton fans very much on board with the decision to sack Roberto Martinez and replace him with Ronald Koeman. While the Dutchman has made it clear that he needs time to mould the squad into his own, the expectations have been raised even if Everton have hit a rough patch.
The results last weekend have dropped Everton down to 5th in the Premier League table and their 13 points earned means they are 5 points behind leaders Manchester City. The Toffees do have a 2-1-0 record at Goodison Park so far this season where they have scored 5 goals and conceded 2 and that is a step in the right direction after the struggles under Martinez last season.
Everton were knocked out of the English Football League Cup by Championship Norwich City last week and followed that up with a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth. The side had won 5 in a row in all competitions prior to the defeat to Norwich City in the Cup and Everton also saw their run of 3 consecutive home wins end in that game.
Leighton Baines is expected to return to the squad in time for this game, but James McCarthy is out until after the international break which follows this game.
Crystal Palace
The back end of the 2015/16 season saw Crystal Palace struggle in the Premier League as they focused on the FA Cup run which saw them play in the Final in May. Alan Pardew couldn't really afford a slow start to the new campaign too, but his side have bounced back from that and are now back in the top half of the Premier League table.
Crystal Palace go into the weekend in 7th place in the Premier League having earned 10 points so far and this is a squad that will be expected to be far from any relegation fight. They bring in a 2-0-1 away record where they have scored 5 goals and conceded 4.
The Eagles were beaten in the English Football League Cup at Southampton, but they have won 3 in a row in the Premier League which includes coming from 2-0 down to beat Sunderland 2-3 at The Stadium of Light last weekend. That win at Sunderland means Crystal Palace have won their last 2 away Premier League games, but those results sandwich the loss at St Mary's in the Cup.
Scott Dann has been ruled out until after the international break, but Wilfried Zaha should be available for selection.
Head to Head
Both Premier League games between these teams ended in draws last season which includes a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Everton have only won 1 of their last 6 home games against Crystal Palace in all competitions and they had lost back to back League games by the same 2-3 scoreline prior to the draw last season.
Prediction
The opening game of the Premier League weekend comes on Friday night again this week in the final round of games before the two week international break. This has the potential of another really good Friday night game after the Chelsea v Liverpool game last week and it is the other side from Merseyside that will be involved.
Everton have made a very good start under Ronald Koeman, but I have felt they have taken advantage of the set of fixtures given to them. The bubble might have burst somewhat when Koeman made changes to his starting eleven in the English Football League Cup which led to an upset at the hands of Norwich City.
A stronger team came out last weekend and were beaten at Bournemouth, but being back at home should give Everton enough confidence they can go into the break with three more points added to the board.
I do think Crystal Palace will play their part though as a team in strong form with 3 consecutive wins behind them in the Premier League. The signings of Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend look to have improved Alan Pardew's options and both players have been important in their 3 game winning run in the League with important goals.
Crystal Palace have scored 9 goals in their last 3 League games and they have the pace to cause Everton plenty of problems and I am looking for an exciting game. Both teams have pace and goalscoring threats in the final third and both are led by Belgian strikers who have been scoring goals in Romelu Lukaku and Benteke.
Last season it may have ended 1-1 here, but the fixture here has usually reached the three goal mark in the last few seasons. In fact 6 of the previous 7 games at Goodison Park between Everton and Crystal Palace had reached that mark before last season and I can see both teams scoring in this one too.
Both Koeman and Pardew won't put the breaks on their sides in this one either as I think they will both believe it is a game from which they can take three points. With the way both have performed in attacking areas over the last month, I am expecting at least three goals in this one and will back that to happen.
Everton vs Crystal Palace: Tips
Both Teams to Score at 8/11 (1.72)
Over 2.5 goals at 3/4 (1.75).
Specials – Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10).
