Everton vs Crystal Palace Preview

• Draw
• Under 3.5 goals

Everton and Crystal Palace, both still searching for their first Premier League victory this season, are set to clash at Goodison Park in what promises to be a tense encounter.

While Everton’s slow start has them hovering near the bottom, Palace’s unbeaten streak adds an intriguing edge to this matchup as both sides look to find momentum.

Everton: Seeking to Build on a Positive Week

The Toffees have struggled to find their footing this season (D1, L4), and their most recent outing was a microcosm of their season so far.

Despite a strong first half against Leicester, where they managed ten goal attempts and led 1-0 at halftime, Everton conceded in the second half and ended up dropping two more points.

This made it eight points dropped from winning positions, the highest in the league, and is a key concern for manager Sean Dyche.

However, the arrival of new ownership in the form of The Friedkin Group has brought hope to Everton fans. The U.S.-based investment firm, which also owns AS Roma, is expected to inject fresh direction into the club’s future.

Despite these positive developments, the immediate focus remains on securing their first win, and Everton can take solace in their dominant recent head-to-head (H2H) record against Crystal Palace, losing only once in the last 19 meetings (W9, D9).

Crystal Palace: Consistent, But in Need of a Breakthrough

While Palace also remains winless in the Premier League (D3, L2), they have shown resilience in their recent outings.

Unbeaten in their last five competitive games (W2, D3), they have managed to keep Chelsea and Manchester United at bay, demonstrating their defensive stability and ability to compete against top sides.

However, another draw at Goodison Park would mark four successive league stalemates for the first time since October 2021.

Head coach Oliver Glasner will be keen to turn these draws into victories to ensure their form doesn’t become a cause for concern.

Notably, this fixture will be Palace’s first true test on the road this season, as all of their seven competitive matches have been played in London thus far.

Key Battle: Iliman Ndiaye vs Dean Henderson

Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)

Summer signing Iliman Ndiaye has quickly become an integral part of Everton’s attack. The forward has attempted more take-ons (24) than any other Everton player this season, despite seven outfield players logging more minutes than him.

Ndiaye’s dynamism paid off against Leicester, where he netted his first league goal for the club, and his ability to break down defences will be crucial against Palace.

Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)  

Palace’s defence has been anchored by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has been in fine form. As of gameweek five, Henderson led the Premier League in ‘goals prevented’ with +3.9 (Opta), highlighting his ability to make crucial saves.

His battle with Ndiaye could be a key factor in determining the outcome of this match, as Everton looks to convert their attacking chances into goals.

Can Everton Secure Their First Win?

Everton’s positive developments off the pitch have given fans a reason to be hopeful, but their performance on the pitch will need to match that optimism.

With a dominant H2H record against Palace, the Toffees will look to their attacking talents, particularly Ndiaye, to find the back of the net and finally secure their first victory of the season.

Palace’s Test on the Road: Maintaining the Unbeaten Streak

For Crystal Palace, the challenge will be to maintain their unbeaten run while turning draws into wins. Their strong defensive record and resilience will be tested away from London, and Glasner will be eager for his side to capitalise on Everton’s inconsistencies.

Final Thoughts

Both sides will see this match as a key opportunity to earn their first Premier League win of the season. Everton’s attacking potential, bolstered by new signing Ndiaye, faces off against a defensively solid Palace side with one of the league’s top-performing goalkeepers.

A win for either team could significantly alter their early season trajectory, while a draw would only add to the pressure to perform in the coming weeks.

Will Everton build on their positive week and secure their first win, or will Palace continue their unbeaten streak and leave Goodison Park with points?

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Everton v Crystal Palace, 2024/25 | Premier League