Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
Coming off the back of the international break, David Unsworth’s struggling Everton side will be making the journey down to South London to face off with a Crystal Place side sat comfortably at the bottom of the table. It may only be November, but, this has all the makings of a relegation six-pointer.
Crystal Palace
After managing to come away with a 2-1 win over defending champions Chelsea last month, The Eagles fans’ had hoped that their torrid start to the season was behind them. Sadly their form didn’t last for long and much like life under Frank De Bour, Roy Hodson hasn’t been able to get his Premier League strugglers firing. Already closing down a 6 point gap to Premier League safety, Palace are without a win since beating Chelsea and their problems were epitomised by a 4-1 away defeat to Championship side Bristol City in the EFL Cup.
For Roy Hodgson, he will be desperate to see his side pick up some valuable points during a hectic Christmas period. The former England boss should feel confident about doing that, after facing off with Everton on Saturday, The Eagles face off with only their direct competition for top-flight safety. Before meeting Arsenal on Boxing day, Palace play Stoke, Brighton, West Brom, Bournemouth, Watford, Leicester, and Swansea. This could be a real chance for the South London club to close the gap.
Palace’s problem’s this season can be summarised fairly easily, they have been shocking both defensively and in attack. This season, Palace are yet to keep a clean sheet and on average concede two goals per game. Although they showed some fight after being 2-0 down against West Ham and coming back to claim a late point, The Eagles have only found the back of the net four times in those 11 attempts. In only two games this year Palace have actually scored.
Team News
It’s the news that every Palace fan was dreading, Ruben Loftus-Cheek looks like he will be sidelined for Saturday’s game. After an eye-catching start to his international career, the 21-year-old withdrew from England’s game with Brazil after 30 minutes with a back injury.
Some potentially good news for The Eagles, number one striker Christian Benteke has begun training again and could play some part this weekend. However, left-back Patrick van Aanholt is still out with an injury.
Everton
Arguably this season’s biggest underachievers, Everton still remain without a permanent replacement for Ronald Koeman and caretaker manager David Unsworth will once again take charge of the struggling Toffees. Sat in 16th position, Everton are only two points above the drop zone. After going five matches without a win in all competitions, a brave Everton side managed to come from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 win at home to Watford.
Much like their hosts on Saturday afternoon, Everton’s problems this season have been epitomised by their defensive record. The 22 goals they have already conceded this year is the joint worse record in the league, with their opponents this weekend tied with them. The Toffees form on the road this year is something that David Unsworth will be desperate to put right on Saturday. When traveling away from Goodison Park this year, not only have Everton failed to pick up a single win in any competition. They have conceded 19 times and have only replied with four goals of their own.
After spending nearly £150million last summer, Everton needs the likes of Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson to lead The Toffees charge up the table. Like Palace again, Everton face a relatively easy Christmas run in. After a trip to South London on Saturday, Unsworth’s side will face Southampton, West Ham, and Huddersfield.
Team News
Appart from a slight injury concern to 19-year-old midfielder Tom Davies, David Unsworth will has no new injury news.
Irish defender Seamus Coleman is back in training this week, the right-back has been out for nearly a year with a broken leg. Yannick Bolasie is also unavailable to play against his former side as he recovers from his knee injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- Both Everton and Palace have conceded the most Premier League goals this season with 22
- Only one of Crystal Palace’s five Premier League wins against Everton has come at Selhurst Park, a 1-0 victory in October 1994
- If Crystal Palace lose, they’ll equal the record for fewest points after 12 games in a Premier League season
- The Toffees haven’t kept a Premier League clean sheet since the opening day of the season against Stoke
- Everton have lost just one of their 20 away Premier League games against sides who started the day bottom of the table
Conclusion
It is going to be a game of who’s defense is slightly worse than the others. With both Palace and Everton boasting abysmal defensive records, it looks like there will be chances at either end. Coupled with the fact that between both sides, they’ve only kept one clean sheet this season. A bet of both teams to find the back at least once seems like the most logical bet at Selhurst.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
