Before the international break Everton came back in dramatic fashion to beat Watford in a thriller at Goodison Park. Had they not done that, and lost the game then that would have made this game a battle between the bottom two clubs in the Premier League. As it stands though, Everton pulled themselves out of the relegation zone and they are sat in 15th.
Regardless of league positions though, one thing is obvious and that is that these two are massively struggling and must improve before Christmas, otherwise it is going to be a very long, hard season. Everton are in the process of looking for a new manager, and as soon as that is sorted out they must find a way to climb the table in what has been an extremely disappointing season so far.
English Premier League – Selhurst Park – Saturday 18th November 2017 – 15:00 UK Time
|
Draw Best Odd of: 21/10 at Ladbrokes |
|
Crystal Palace
EvertonCrystal Palace Form
After going seven games without picking up a point or even scoring a goal at the start of the season, Crystal Palace looked in big trouble. They have since picked up four points in their last four games, and also scored four goals so at least they look like improving. However, at this stage that is still not enough and more is needed as they are already six points from safety.
The mess at Crystal Palace started in the summer when they brought in new manager Frank de Boer. They wanted to play better football and thought he was the man to bring that, which he may have been but he wasn’t allowed to sign any new players of his own. That left him trying to play good football with players who prefer a more direct style and that marriage simply didn’t work. Roy Hodgson has a style better suited to the players at the club and while it may not be an exciting appointment, it does suit the players that are already at the club.
Everton Form
After making so many summer signings, many expected Everton to really push hard and possibly even challenge the top six this season. However, they are a million miles away from that right now in 15th and look in desperate need of a change. Ronald Koeman was sacked before the international break and his successor will need to come and mould his players into a team that works. A lot of the blame can be laid upon the new players at the club, who barring the odd exception have really struggled to get going. Jordan Pickford has impressed in goal, and Wayne Rooney has scored four goals, but elsewhere there is around £100 million worth of talent doing very little for the club.
The big thing going in Everton’s favour right now is that the league is very tight and they are just four points behind 8th placed Brighton. That is something to aim for, they are certainly capable of better but they need to show that on the pitch when their new boss comes in and takes charge of the team.
Team News
I am not sure which is most surprising, Crystal Palace scoring just four goals from their opening 11 games or Everton scoring just 10 with the attacking players they have at the club. Neither are good enough and both need to improve if they are to get out of the position they are in. This will be difficult for Crystal Palace though, who come up against Jordan Pickford, one of the most improved goalkeepers in the division, and now an England player after playing against Germany last week.
For Everton, Gylfi Sigurdsson cost them over £40 million but so far he doesn’t have a Premier League goal or assist to his name, something that must change quickly. We have seen what he is capable of at Tottenham and Swansea, and we must see that sort of play now he is with Everton.
Top Betting Tips
The value in this game is with Everton, although it is very difficult to pick a winner in what looks like being a poor game of football. The one thing Everton have in their favour is that they are capable of much better, and if they do eventually click they should climb the table with ease. They are priced at 21/10 with Ladbrokes and that looks to be a fair bet against a Crystal Palace team that are really struggling at both ends of the field and one that look set for a relegation battle during this Premier League season.