Everton vs Crystal Palace predictions: Expect goals as strugglers meet
- Four of Everton’s opening five league matches have gone over 2.5 goals
- Both teams have scored in 12 of Palace’s last 15 away league games
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals
Two sides in desperate need of getting off the mark in the Premier League square-up at Goodison Park on Saturday and that could be the perfect formula for goals.
Having suffered four defeats in a row to start the season, Everton picked up their first point of the campaign in a 1-1 draw at Leicester last weekend.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, recorded their third stalemate of the campaign in a goalless draw at home to Manchester United, although they are yet to convert some promising performances into victory.
The pressure will be on both sides to claim maximum points but neither defence has been wholly convincing so far this season, suggesting that spectators may be in for a lively afternoon on Merseyside.
Team news
Everton manager Sean Dyche has injury problems in the full-back department and remains without the services of Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman, while James Garner has been struggling with illness.
There is the possibility of a return for star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who played 90 minutes for the U21’s in midweek, but Michael Keane is an injury doubt.
The Toffees are also without Idrissa Gueye, Armando Broja, and Youssef Chermiti.
Crystal Palace have Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Matheus Franca and Chadi Riad sidelined, while Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah must be assessed.
The stats
Everton have conceded 14 goals across their opening five league games, shipping three or more on four occasions.
Five of Everton's last six Premier League matches have gone over 2.5 goals and they have lost 3-2 in two of their last three outings.
Palace have managed only one clean sheet in their last 15 away games, with both teams scoring in 12 of those outings.
Everton are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with the Eagles, although three of the last five rivalries have ended in draws.
Prediction
Everton have had an uncharacteristic start to the season under Dyche, leaking 14 goals in five games to go against the usual steely defensive nature of their manager.
The Toffees still await their first clean sheet of the season and supporters will be particularly concerned by their inability to close matches out.
Everton threw away two-goal leads to lose 3-2 to both Bournemouth and Aston Villa, while last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Leicester saw Stephy Mavididi snatch a late point for the Foxes.
It has to trust the Merseyside men from a defensive perspective and the Eagles' pacey attack, spearheaded by Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze, should be able to carve out plenty of goalscoring moments.
That said, Palace have conceded twice in three of their five games this season against Brentford, West Ham and Leicester and they too have defensive frailties to improve upon.
With both teams in desperate need of a victory, this could be an entertaining encounter and an early goal either way could soon see the floodgates open.
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