Crystal Palace have been handed a boost with the news that Christian Benteke will be fit ahead of the game against Everton on Saturday.
Palace host Everton on Saturday afternoon and both teams haven’t had the best start to the season so far. The home side will be looking for their second win of the season and they could just achieve that against an out-of-form Everton side who are massively underperforming this season.
The Eagles have a poor record against Everton at home since returning to the top flight. They have drawn twice and lost twice at Selhurst Park. This record will need to improve in a crucial relegation six-pointer for Palace.
The last game week before the international break saw Crystal Palace come away from Wembley with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham. Crystal Palace would’ve felt that they should’ve got a point from that game. Everton had their bad luck turned around through an inspiring comeback from 2-0 down to beat Watford 3-2.
Team news
Palace will miss Ruben Loftus-Cheek who picked up a back injury against Brazil when on international duty for England. Patrick van Aanholt remains out with a hamstring injury and Connor Wickham is still sidelined with a knee injury.
Tom Davies withdrew from the England U-21s with a hamstring injury so he could be a doubt for Saturday. Ross Barkley and James McCarthy are also out with hamstring injuries. Yannick Bolasie, Ramiro Funes Mori, and Seamus Coleman are long-term absentees for the Toffees.
Prediction
Everton will have a boost in confidence after their comeback against Watford. They will also be inspired to perform with David Unsworth as temporary manager. The man bleeds Everton and the passion he shows on the sidelines could motivate this Everton side against the Eagles.
Crystal Palace will feel massively unlucky not to come away with any points from Wembley. Points are more important than performances and Palace are just not getting any luck at the moment. They have a favourable run of fixtures and that could drag them out of trouble before Christmas.
Both sides will be desperate for points here and it is really hard to pick a winner. I can see goals in this fixture but I’m gonna go for a score draw here.
Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton
