Everton will be a buzzing lot as they make their way to the Selhurst Park to face a struggling Crystal Palace outfit who have failed to improve under new boss Sam Allardyce. They did pick up their first win under the new manager in a come from behind 2-1 win in the FA Cup replay against Bolton Wanderers but the Eagles have to be much more convincing and better on the day with their opponents coming on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City. Koeman’s finest moment surely as an Everton manager and he would like to sustain the momentum gathered from that win.
And with the new owner Farhad Moshiri loosening his purse strings and Koeman splashing the cash in the transfer market, these are exciting times at the Goodison Park. With the Toffees in the 7th position, it can be said that they are the best amongst the rest at this moment. But wins against Arsenal and Manchester City and draws against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur shows that they are almost ready to mingle with the best on a more regular basis now and that is exactly what Koeman has been brought in to ensure.
But they can’t be too cocky and need to avoid potential slip-ups and they will look to get the job done without much fuss.
PREDICTED EVERTON LINE-UP VS CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1)
DEFENCE
Joel Robles is set to continue in goal and will look to put in an impressive stint to carry on his displays in recent weeks. With back to back clean sheets, he will look to continue on that.
The 3-man at the back ploy has worked well for them and he is likely to continue in that formation. In that case, Holgate will be the right-sided defender with Ashley Williams in the centre and Ramiro Funes Mori on the left-hand side.
MIDFIELD
Coleman will be in the right wingback role and will look to contribute as much as possible in attack and peg Palace back. Leighton Baines is likely to be fit in time and will line up on the left wingback role. Davies was good against City and alongside the experienced and nuanced Gareth Barry will look to put in another impressive shift in the centre of the park.
ATTACK
Barkley and Mirallas will line-up just behind the striker. The duo will look to cement their places, especially Barkley, who hasn’t convinced as of yet this season. Romelu Lukaku will be the lone man up front.
