Crystal Palace v Everton predictions: Palace point should satisfy Everton

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Crystal Palace v Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 9-4 Betfred

Team news

Crystal Palace
Joel Ward is available after suspension and Joachim Andersen is back in contention but James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson remain sidelined.

Everton
Yerry Mina has joined Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the treatment room.

Match preview

Rafa Benitez looked a lot happier after watching Everton's 2-1 victory at home to Arsenal on Monday and his week could finish on a solid footing with a draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

If Everton are to have a decent season they will surely look back on their victory over the Gunners as the turning point.

Everything seemed to be going wrong for the Toffees, who had two goals chalked off by VAR off-side calls, and were seemingly heading for a seventh defeat in eight games.

However, they kept asking questions of Arsenal and turned the game around with late goals from Richarlison and Demarai Gray.

The injury-time winner from Gray must have been especially satisfying for Benitez, because it showed just what might be possible if he is given a little more leeway in future transfer windows.

Gray was snapped up from Leverkusen for a reported £1.7million fee but has already contributed five goals and two assists and looks one of the signings of the season.

Everton will be stronger in attack when Dominic Calvert-Lewin shakes off a quad injury but for now they will rely on Richarlison to do his best as the central striker.

The Brazilian prefers to play on the shoulder rather than come short and Palace may try to nullify his strengths by reducing the spaces in behind.

Should the Eagles defend deeper, it will be harder for them to press Everton and could contribute to a stalemate scenario with both teams happy to concede possession in non-dangerous areas.

Palace have adjusted their style under Patrick Vieira, who has got them playing much more on the front foot, but their midfield press has been less effective without James McArthur, who has missed the last four games through injury.

The Eagles' 1-0 loss at Manchester United last Sunday was certainly no disgrace given the difficulty of being the first team to face a Red Devils side managed by Ralf Rangnick.

But it was their third successive single-goal defeat - following a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa and a 1-0 reverse at Leeds - and Vieira will want his team to get out of the losing habit as soon as possible.

It is getting to the stage when Vieira might be happy to prioritise a result over a performance and he might not be too displeased if his team secure a gritty point this weekend.

Key stat

Crystal Palace have drawn four of their seven home league games this season

Inside info

Crystal Palace

Penalty taker Jordan Ayew
Free-kick wizard Conor Gallagher
Set-piece aerial threat Cheikhou Kouyate
Card magnet Marc Guehi

Everton

Penalty taker Andros Townsend
Free-kick wizardAndros Townsend
Set-piece aerial threatMichael Keane
Card magnetAbdoulaye Doucoure

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