What a run Crystal Palace are in at the moment! Alan Pardew’s boys have won all of their last three Premier League games on the bounce and right now are sitting 7th with 10 points. They are ahead of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea boasting a greater goal difference, something that not many would have predicted before the season began. However, they will have a real test on their hands when they travel to Goodison Park on Friday night to take on Everton. Two back to back defeats in their last two games in all competitions has hampered Everton’s great start to their season but they still look quite strong.
The Eagles are on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win against Sunderland from last weekend and will be high on confidence when they take on Ronald Koeman’s boys. Everton lost 1-0 to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth last weekend after they were ousted out of the League Cup by Championship side Norwich City. Ronald Koeman will be keen to get his side back to winning ways but the job won’t be easy and Palace could prove too physical to handle.
Here is the predicted Crystal Palace lineup against Everton.
DEFENCE
Steve Mandanda will start between the sticks ahead of Welsh custodian Wayne Hennessey. Joel Ward is likely to continue in the right-back position. The South London club will miss their best defender and club captain Scott Dann on their trip to Merseyside and it is a big void to fill.
Damien Delaney is expected to take the Englishman’s place at the heart of the defence and also his armband. James Tomkins will partner the Irishman at the heart of the defence. We expect Martin Kelly to fill in the left-back position with Pape Soaure missing through a long-term injury.
MIDFIELD
James McArthur is likely to continue in defensive midfield. With the Scotsman playing at the base of midfield, Welsh international Joe Ledley and Frenchman Yohan Cabaye are likely to start as the two box to box midfielders. Both McArthur and Ledley were on the scoresheet against Sunderland last weekend and will be keen to impress again.
Cabaye, a key player for the Eagles, had to deal with a number of injury troubles from the very start of the season but made his comeback lately giving a major boost to Pardew.
ATTACK
Wilfred Zaha is a minor doubt for the game and we expect Pardew not to risk him. Therefore, it is likely to remain the same attacking trio that started against Sunderland last weekend- Christian Benteke up front, Puncheon and Townsend on the flanks.
