AN all Premier League affair takes place in the third round of the FA Cup on Thursday night as Crystal Palace entertain Everton at Selhurst Park.
The two teams ended 2023 separated by just three places and five points in the top-flight standings, with Palace in 14th place, while the Blues are hovering above the relegation zone in 17th spot.
The Eagles ended their eight-game winless run in the Premier League last weekend by coming from behind to beat Brentford 3-1.
Roy Hodgson will now be hoping his side can replicate that performance with a view to progressing in the FA Cup at Everton's expense on Thursday night.
After making a dream start to December with four straight wins, the Toffees' progress has stalled following a trio of losses, the most recent of which was a 3-0 walloping from Wolves.
While the visitors have bigger fish to fry than that of the FA Cup, Sean Dyche will demand a positive response from his side in South London this midweek.
Outright Betting
Crystal Place, who have won five of their last seven FA Cup home matches, are 13/8 favourites at Bet 365.
Everton emerged victorious from this venue earlier this season but the same outcome here is as big as 7/4 (Ladbrokes) while the 90 minute draw can be backed at 11/5 (William Hill).
Betting Angles
Neither team makes great appeal in the 1X2 here so I'll instead opt for a player-based selection and put up Michael Olise to have 1 or more shots on target at 10/11 (PaddyPower).
The Palace playmaker has put in a number of eye-catching displays in recent weeks, striking either side of the interval in the hosts' aforementioned 3-1 win over Brentford last time out.
In fact, that brace means in the-form Frenchman has now notched in three of his last four top-flight outings, not to mention he provided an assist in the other for good measure.
What's more, that sample of fixtures came against Man City, Brighton, Chelsea and Brentford, so Olise will fancy his chances of continuing his purple patch in front of goal against ailing Everton
This bet will of course hinge on whether or not Roy Hodgson decides to rotate his resources for this cup tie, but with 16 day rest to follow, the Eagles chief has no reason not to roll the big guns against the Blues.
Therefore, team news permitting, siding with Crystal Place maverick Michael Olise to work the goalkeeper at least once looks worthy of interest at 10/11 with PaddyPower.
On a similar line of reasoning to the above, I'll also have a nibble on the 6/1 (UniBet) about Michael Olise making the net bulge on Thursday night.
As already alluded to, this bet would have paid in three of the Frenchman's last four appearances for Palace so the 6/1 (UniBet) about a repat here looks to big to ignore.
This FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton will be played on Jan 4, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Crystal Palace vs Everton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
