Everton are looking to register their first Premier League win of 2024 with Sean Dyche’s side hosting Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
The Toffees’ only win of the new year came against Palace, with Dyche’s men running out 1-0 winners of the FA Cup third-round tie.
Everton currently sit inside the relegation zone, one point adrift of Luton Town, who sit on the right side of the dotted line.
This weekend’s matchup between the Hatters and a hot Manchester United could offer Everton an opportunity to climb out of the bottom three.
Despite having lost four of their past five Premier League games, Palace is currently five points clear of Dyche’s team. The Eagles are in disarray; the team has not yet disclosed whether Roy Hodgson has resigned.
talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook slammed the current situation live on air on Thursday morning.
“I think it is a very unsavoury situation if Hodgson even has to front up to the media today and answer questions when everyone in the room knows his time at Palace is coming to an end,” he said.
“If he does have to board the coach to Everton on Monday for what is a massive game it has to be said, is quite frankly a ridiculous situation.”
This does feel like a good opportunity for the Toffees to finally kickstart a good run of 2024 form, and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson agrees.
Paul Merson makes Everton v Crystal Palace prediction
Merson believes Everton will win a “crucial” three points, calling the visitors “beatable” in the absence of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
“I expect the home side to get three crucial points in this one,” he said to Sportkeeda. “Everton are on a bit of a slippery slope at the moment, but Palace are a beatable side when they play without Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.”
The former player for Aston Villa thinks Everton may benefit from Palace’s erratic managerial scenario.
“With all the uncertainty about their managerial situation, I don’t think this game is coming at the right time for Palace.
“I can only see this game going one way because they are missing two important players in Olise and Eze, and they have demonstrated this season that they lack the deadly instinct without the pair. Everton defeats Crystal Palace 2-0.
In the club’s recent history, a victory versus Palace would be a great way to begin a pivotal week. The Premier League will be revealing the result of Everton’s appeal against their 10-point deduction.
Get more sport updates on https://sportupdates.co.uk/
Leave a Reply