Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Everton

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two sides who will be looking to extend on their FA Cup adventure on Thursday night, Crystal Palace will welcome Everton to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, managing to claim a crucial return to winning ways last weekend, Crystal Palace will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Eventually mounting a stellar comeback at Selhurst Park as they secured a 3-1 victory against Brentford, Roy Hodgson has certainly eased some of the pressure on his shoulders. However, almost finding themselves sat in Premier League limbo, the Eagles have failed to muster back-to-back top-flight wins so far this season. Despite drawing a line under their seven-match winless run at Selhurst Park last weekend, Hodgson will have a continued headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Including a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of relegation scrappers Luton on November 25th, Thursday’s hosts have failed to record a single clean sheet in any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Still dealing with respective injury issues, Crystal Palace will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Rob Holding, Cheick Doucoure and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone here. However, returning from his own injury blow against Brentford last weekend, Odsonne Edouard could make a first start since December 9th.

Bagging a brace at Selhurst Park last weekend and now notching four goals in as many Premier League appearances, attacking talisman Michael Olise will once again have a leading role to play here. Former Watford midfielder Will Hughes could be handed a full recall on Thursday night.

Everton

As for the visitors, while Everton might have found themselves in the midst of a stunning purple patch when opening December, Sean Dyche’s men have largely come crashing back down to earth over the festive period. Putting in a nightmare performance last weekend as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Wolves, the former Burnley boss has seen his squad lose all of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Crashing out of the EFL Cup on December 19th following penalties heartbreak at the hands of Fulham, the Blues are once again looking over their shoulder at a potential relegation scrap. Still furious after being handed a 10-point deduction back in November, Everton have also shown their own defensive struggles over the past fortnight. In fact, Dyche’s side have lost back-to-back showdowns away from Goodison Park by an aggregate score of 5-1.

Team News

Now missing each of Everton’s last four appearances, Dyche’s side are once again sweating over the fitness of Abdoulaye Doucoure here. Likewise, the Blues are also expected to be unable to call upon former Manchester United star Ashley Young on Thursday night.

Opening his Premier League account against Newcastle on December 7th, summer recruit Beto could be handed a recall at Selhurst Park. Expected to make a handful of changes in south London, the likes of Ben Godfrey, Arnaut Danjuma and Andre Gomes will be hoping to feature in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Crystal Palace and Everton last met back on November 11th, Dyche’s side claimed a 3-2 victory at Selhurst Park.
• However, Everton have lost each of their previous four appearances across all competitions.
• Landing a 3-1 victory against Brentford last weekend, that result drew a line under Palace’s eight-match winless run.
• Everton have lost back-to-back appearances away from Goodison Park by an aggregate score of 5-1.
• Five of Crystal Palace’s last six showdowns at Selhurst Park have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Two sides who have shown their own respective defensive issues, we could be treated to a lively FA Cup showdown on Thursday night. With Everton now losing all of their previous four meetings against Premier League opposition, chances could come thick and fast at Selhurst Park. Likewise, with Crystal Palace seeing five of their last six showdowns in south London finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome from the capital in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster