Everton v Crystal Palace - Preview and possible lineups

Matt Morley 6 years ago 646
Hodgson will be without Zaha for the game. AFP

We take a look ahead to Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

Everton: Sam Allardyce side are expected to make changes following their 5-1 humbling at the hands of Arsenal, with a switch to four at the back likely. Leighton Baines (calf), Maarten Stekelenburg (groin) and Ramiro Funes Mori (knee) are all set to miss out once again, though the trio are thought to be closing in on returns. Midfielder James McCarthy is out long-term with a broken leg.

Crystal Palace: The visitors will be without talisman Wilfried Zaha, who is expected to be out for around a month. Zaha joins Martin Kelly (hamstring), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (ankle), Julian Speroni, Jaosn Puncheon, Connor Wickham, Scott Dann (all knee) and Bakary Sako (ankle) on the sidelines.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce:

"We have to be concerned about Palace's strengths but Zaha not playing could be an advantage.

"That being said, we will have to be at our best to beat Crystal Palace. They're very resilient, so hats off to Roy and his players.

"We need to focus on our own form. We've only lost one [at home] since I got here. Our home form is very good."

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson:

"I don't remember a relegation battle like this one. Normally there's a clearer middle group in the league, but today there doesn't seem to be a real middle group.

"It doesn't take many points to get into the middle - 30 points at the moment, which is something that gives us all hope, I suppose."

Did you know?

Crystal Palace have only lost twice in their last 15 league fixtures, with both defeats coming against Arsenal.

Form:

Possible lineups:

Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mangala, Martina; Davies, Gueye; Walcott, Rooney, Sigurdsson; Calvert-Lewin.

Crystal Palace: Hennessey; Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, Riedewald, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur; Townsend, Benteke.

Mentioned in the news story

Premier League
Crystal Palace