Palace can crank up the pressure on Everton

Kick-off 3pm Saturday

Everton spent most of the week trying to appoint a new manager and the need for a change of direction may increase with a defeat at Crystal Palace.

The Toffees are among the bigger clubs in the league but reputations count for little in such a competitive environment.

On the pitch they have looked a poor side, unbalanced by a proliferation of attacking midfielders and by the absence of a reliable centre-forward.

Those problems cannot be solved until January and Crystal Palace – boosted by the long-awaited return of Christian Benteke – can take advantage.

Recommendation
Crystal Palace
2pts 7-5 general

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Crystal Palace
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back) will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness and Christian Benteke (knee) is set to return. Chung-Yong Lee and Jordon Mutch are injury doubts and Patrick van Aanholt (hamstring) is out.

Everton
Tom Davies (hamstring) is a doubt and Ross Barkley, Yannick Bolasie, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori and James McCarthy are out.

Key stat
Everton have not won any of their last nine away games.

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