Everton will take on Alan Pardew’s high-flying Crystal Palace in a Friday night Premier League encounter at the Goodison Park. The Toffees had an excellent start to life under Ronald Koeman but their unbeaten start to the season was put to an end by Bournemouth last week as the Cherries went on to win the game 1-0. Everton will be looking to bounce back to winning ways but high-flying Crystal Palace will be a tough test for them.
Crystal Palace are in some run right now, having managed 10 points in their last four Premier League games winning last the last three on the bounce. The Eagles are on the back of a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against Sunderland from last weekend and will be high on confidence when they take on Ronald Koeman’s boys. This game has all the ingredients to be a cracker and a game that sets up the mood for the weekend games.
Team news
Everton
Leighton Baines is yet to fully recover from a hamstring injury, while James McCarthy also remains sidelined. Gibson, Besic, Browning and Pennington are all out with injuries.
Crystal Palace
Wilfred Zaha is available for Palace after missing the win at Sunderland with a hamstring strain. Skipper Scott Dann misses due to a hamstring injury. Jonathan Benteke, younger brother of striker Christian, could be out for up to four months with a knee injury which requires surgery. Pape Souare and Loic Remy are also missing through injuries.
Predicted line-ups and tactical setups
Everton
The Toffees will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Maarten Stekelenburg should start under the bar behind the back four of Coleman, Jagielka, Williams and Oviedo. Idrissa Gueye will start in the middle of the park alongside veteran Gareth Barry with Ross Barkley operating as a number ten. Mirallas and Bolasie will start on the flanks with Lukaku spearheading the attack.
Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Coleman, Jagielka, Williams, Oviedo; Barry, Gueye; Mirallas, Barkley, Bolasie; Lukaku
Crystal Palace
The Eagles will line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Mandanda is likely to start between the sticks behind the back four of Ward, Delaney, Tomkins and Kelly. McArthur, Ledley and Cabaye will be the midfield trio. Zaha and Townsend will start on the flanks with Benteke spearheading the attack.
Starting XI: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly; McArthur, Cabaye, Ledley; Zaha, Benteke, Townsend
Key players
Everton- Idrissa Gueye
The Senegalese international has been immense in the middle of the park for the Toffees since he joined the club this summer from Aston Villa. Everton need the midfield dynamo at his best in order to beat the Eagles.
Crystal Palace
Christian Benteke has scored four and assisted one more in five Premier League appearances against Everton. Crystal Palace’s club record signing, Benteke, has made an immediate impact at Selhurst Park after his big money transfer and will be one to look forward to when he returns to Merseyside.
Odds
Everton win @7/10
Draw @3/1
Crystal Palace win @4/1
