THE outlook is looking is a lot less gloomy for Everton with a takeover imminent but a brighter future will depend on Premier League survival this season and they desperately need a result when Crystal Palace come calling.
The Friedkin Group agreed a deal to buy the club on Monday morning and Everton's odds in the relegation market immediately lengthened but any investment in the squad will need to wait until January.
Making sure the Toffees aren't stuck in the drop zone by that stage is the priority for boss Sean Dyche and he finally got a point on the board at Leicester last weekend on a frustrating day for me.
But Everton threw away a lead for the third game in a row and Dyche will want his side to be more ruthless against Palace, especially as he's now leading the odds for next Premier League manager to be sacked.
Oliver Glasner had the Eagles flying at the end of last term but they've started the new season slowly and sit just two points above the Toffees with three points from five games.
Although Crystal Palace lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich in the summer they still have most of their star men and Glasner will also be desperate to get their first win on the board at Goodison.
How the bookies view it: Very little in it
With both teams in poor form it's a tough one to call and that's reflected in the odds. Crystal Palace are the slightest of favourites at 6/4 with Betano, who price Everton at 13/8 and the draw at 12/5.
Recent head to head: Toffees on top
Everton have been a bogey team for Crystal Palace in recent years, with the Toffees unbeaten in the last seven meetings. Four of those games came last season, with Dyche's side winning 1-0 at Goodison in FA Cup replay before drawing 1-1 when Palace came calling on Premier League duty.
Players to watch: Ndiaye's the guy
Iliman Ndiaye was Everton's big signing this summer and the former Sheffield United star was superb in last week's draw at Leicester. He scored his second goal of the season and is 7/2 with Bet365 for another strike. The same firm also price him at a tempting 8/5 to either score or assist.
Eberechi Eze is the man who makes things happen for Crystal Palace and looks a bit overpriced at 3/1 to grab his third goal of the season. The playmaker also looks decent value in that score or assist market at 11/10.
Probable line-ups
Vitalii Mykolenko could return after illness for Everton while Seamus Coleman may come back from injury too. But this game looks set to come too soon for Armando Broja, Nathan Patterson and Jarad Branthwaite.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton both went off at half-time in Palace's last game against Manchester United but boss Glasner later revealed that was a tactical move rather than down to injuries.
Everton: Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Garner, McNeil. Mangala, Ndiaye, Doucoure, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Lacroix, Guehi, Richards, Mitchell, Munoz, Kamada, Lerma, Nketiah, Eze, Mateta.
Anything else catch the eye?
These sides have only kept one clean sheet between them this season so it bodes well for goals at both ends. BTTS is just 13/10 at Betano but if you add on over 2.5 goals it boosts the odds to 11/10 at Bet365.
We've seen heaps of corners in Everton's last three games at home, with 12 or more in each of those matches. That makes over 10.5 corners worth a look at 49/50 with Unibet while over 5.5 Toffees flag kicks also appeals at 6/5 as they've been averaging over eight in their last three at home.
This English Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace will be played on Sep 28, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. 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.
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