Prediction and odds for the game: Everton (8/13) v Crystal Palace (9/2)
We are backing the home win
When: Saturday 8th February 2020, Kick-off 12:30 PM
Where: Goodison Park
In the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday, Everton host Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, as the hosts look to enhance their chances of a top-six finish this season.
Everton
The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as head coach has led a revival at the Merseyside club. Not only have the Toffees pulled away from the relegation zone, but they are also now eying a European spot.
In fact, a victory in this clash would move Everton to within a point of fifth-place Tottenham. It would be an incredible turnaround if the home side made the top-six after such a woeful start to the campaign under Marco Silva.
The Toffees have suffered just one Premier League defeat since Ancelotti’s appointment, which was a 2-1 reverse at reigning champions Manchester City. Last time out Everton displayed their newfound spirit by coming back from two goals down at Watford to win 3-2, despite the dismissal of midfielder Fabian Delph in the second half.
The Toffees are unbeaten in five home games in the Premier League, three of which have been under Ancelotti. The Merseysiders have also kept three clean sheets in their last four league outings at Goodison Park.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles head into this potentially tough encounter on the back of a poor run of form that has seen them drop into the bottom half of the table. In fact, Palace are now just six points above the relegation zone. However, an unlikely win at Goodison Park would move Roy Hodgson’s team above the hosts in the Premier League table.
The visitors have lost their last two Premier League games against Southampton and Sheffield United, both on home soil. The defeats mean that the Eagles have failed to win in their last six Premier League games.
One of Palace’s biggest problems this season has been scoring goals, as they are the lowest scorers in the English top-flight, having scored just 22 goals in their 25 league outings. However, only three teams in the top-flight have better defensive records than the Eagles, runaway league leaders Liverpool being one of those teams.
Palace are not the greatest travellers, having won just once in their last eight away matches in the Premier League. They have proven stubborn opponents on the road, though, as they have lost just once in their last six league matches on their travels.
Conclusion
Many will be expecting Everton to record a comfortable victory in this clash. We are backing the Toffees to record the win, as they have been in decent home form of late and the win over Watford last time out will have buoyed spirits in the Toffees camp. However, we are also predicting under 2.5 goals scored. The reasoning for this is that Palace struggle for goals, but are very well organised, so could make it difficult for the home side.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 8/13 and/or the under 2.5 goals at odds 8/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Can Everton continue their recent revival against Crystal Palace?
