Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 07/12/2015
Kick-off: 20:00 (BST)
Match
Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison Park to contest this Premier League game week’s Monday night encounter and the match looks set to be an entertaining affair between the two European contenders.
Everton managed to get over their disappointing draw against Bournemouth by claiming a 2-0 victory over Championship side Middlesbrough in the midweek Capital One Cup Quarter Finals encounter and the mood in the Toffees camp has become positive once again.
Now Roberto Martinez’s men will turn their attention back to the Premier League with a clash against Crystal Palace and the match promises to be a very tough assignment for the Eagles.
Everton Team News
Joel Robles started in goal for Everton during the midweek League Cup encounter but the Spaniard is likely to be replaced by Tim Howard for the Premier League on Monday.
In defence, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines are still struggling with injuries and it means that Brendan Galloway and Ramiro Funes Mori will be starting alongside the ever present duo of John Stones and Seamus Coleman.
James McCarthy is the biggest concern for Everton ahead of the clash after he was subbed off against Bournemouth with a groin injury and it remains to be seen whether the Irishman will be fit in time to feature on Monday.
If McCarthy misses out, Tom Cleverley looks the most likely candidate to come in at the middle of the park alongside the evergreen Gareth Barry.
In the attacking positions, the impressive young duo of Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley look certain starters while Arouna Kone is also expected to be lining up in one of the wide positions. Romelu Lukaku has arguably been the best player for Everton this season and the young striker will be leading the line for the Toffees once again.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Galloway, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman; Cleverley, Barry, Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Crystal Palace (Probable XI): Hennessey; Souare, Delaney, Dann, Ward; McAurther, Cabaye, Puncheon, Lee Chung-Yong, Bolasie; Wickham
Last Meeting
31/01/2015 Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Everton
21/09/2014 Everton 2 – 3 Crystal Palace
Prediction
Crystal Palace really enjoy their trips to Merseyside and along with their fine performances against Liverpool, the Eagles also hold an impressive record against Everton.
As a result, one can expect Everton to be handed a very tough battle by Palace on Monday – especially given their drastic improvements over the last year or so.
That said one should not forget the fact that Everton are currently on a brilliant run of form and have become a very solid side at home. The clash should be an entertaining affair between two very good sides and Everton seem to have enough about them to be able to claim a victory on the night.
Everton 2 – 1 Crystal Palace
