Everton v Crystal Palace predictions: Counter attacking Palace to cause problems

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 6pm Monday

Best bets

Crystal Palace or draw double chance
1pt Evs general

Team news

Everton
First-choice keeper Jordan Pickford, Fabian Delph, Bernard and Abdoulaye Doucoure remain sidelined. Jean-Philippe Gbamin could figure and James Rodriguez returns.

Crystal Palace
James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho and James McArthur are all out but Tyrick Mitchell is set to return. Nathaniel Clyne, Cheikhou Kouyate and James McCarthy face late fitness tests.

Match preview

The international break was a blessing in disguise for Everton, but Goodison Park hasn’t been good to them this season and their home hoodoo could continue against Crystal Palace.

The Toffees have endured three straight defeats in all competitions, suffering Premier League reverses against Chelsea and Burnley before an FA Cup quarter-final loss to all-conquering Manchester City.

In fact, Everton have recorded just five wins from 14 home league outings this term and they have claimed only 17 of their 46 points at their Merseyside base.

A slender 1-0 win over a confidence-starved Southampton is their sole league victory at Goodison Park from seven attempts this year, with relegation-threatened pair Newcastle and Fulham both springing surprise successes.

West Ham and Burnley were triumphant, too, suggesting odds-on backers should be cautious in their approach.

European qualification is still up for grabs for Everton, but their home performances must improve and Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace aren’t the sort of opposition to make it easy for them.

James Rodriguez’s return from injury bolsters the Toffees' winning prospects, and it will ensure Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are supplied with sharper service.

But the creative Colombian has not played since the derby win at Liverpool in February and a lack of match practice is an obvious concern.

There is also a void in the centre of the park without the injured Abdoulaye Doucoure and this is a game that may suit the style of Palace, who are well-equipped to counter-attack.

With talisman Wilfried Zaha back to full fitness, Palace are a different proposition to the side who limped through February and the Ivorian’s return should also play to the strengths of Eberechi Eze, who may thrive again with lower expectations.

The pace Palace carry on the break through that pair plus Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew can cause plenty of problems for an Everton defence who have managed just two clean sheets in 14 home assignments.

With Palace 11 points clear of relegation with nine games to go, they are under less pressure and can play more expansively, whereas the Toffees can’t afford any slip-ups.

The Eagles have collected four points from two meetings with Manchester United this season as well as picking up positive results in games with Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester, and they can avoid defeat at Goodison Park.

Key stat

Crystal Palace have lost only one of their last five league games.

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