EVERTON face arguably one of the biggest games in their history on Monday night when they welcome fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to Goodison Park.
But the build-up has been overshadowed with the position of Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, both personally and professionally.
Sean Dyche's side are in the relegation zone after that controversial ten point penalty, but can reduce the gap on Palace to just two points with a win.
Everton have picked a nightmare time to lose form and haven't won a league game since the middle of December. That was the end of a four-game winning run, but they've nosedived from there.
They are winless in seven league games and have also exited the League Cup and the FA Cup since then. They fought back to claim a last gasp point at home to Spurs before losing at Manchester City.
But they are facing a Palace team who are on an equally horrific run after two league wins in 13.
Things took a bizarre turn on Thursday when it was reported 76-year-old Hodgson was set to be fired to be replaced by former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, only for the former England to take ill and be hospitalised. Quite what that will do for their build-up is anyone's guess, but his No.2 Ray Lewington will take charge.
Palace blew a first half lead against London rivals Chelsea last week to lose 3-1 and defeat on Merseyside would see the Eagles well and truly dragged into the relegation mire.
How the bookies view it
Everton are odds-on favourites here at 8/11 with Coral. Crystal Palace can be backed at 23/5 with UniBet and the draw is 13/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The sides met just three weeks ago in the FA Cup and it was a goalless draw in London before Everton edged out Palacein the replay at Goodison Park and won 1-0.
Everton also won at Selhurst Park in the league in November in an exciting 3-2 game.
Players to watch
Dominic Calvert-Lewin started the season well, but remarkably hasn't netted since October. He is desperate for a goal to end that drought and is 21/10 to score anytime with BetVictor.
Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma scored an absolute peach of a goal for Palace on Monday against Chelsea and it was his first goal for the club. He is 10/1 to get his second one in Liverpool with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Everton look far, far too short here and you simply can't be taking an odds-on price for a team who are on such a poor run. True they are playing a Palace team who are on a similar confidence-zapping run, but neither side can be trusted here.
With so much at stake, the obvious outcome is for a share of the spoils and the draw would suit Palace more. And there is also the side issue of how much Hodgson's illness will impact on the visitors.
There was just one goal in the two FA Cup ties recently and this is likely to be a tense battle too and it's hard to see either side going gung-ho.
One goal either way could easily decide this if there is to be a winner. Go for under 1.5 goals at 9/4 with William Hill.
This English Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace will be played on Feb 19, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Everton vs Crystal Palace prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
