Twitter-Everton
Everton started off the Premier League season in a woeful manner as they largely stayed in the relegation zone during the early half of the season. However, after the sacking of Marco Silva and the inclusion of world-renowned manager Carlo Ancelotti, things have started to look different. Ancelotti has rejuvenated the Merseyside blue as they now occupy the 9th spot in the Premier League with 33 points on board while being three points behind the sixth spot. The Toffees most recent result was a sensational 3-2 comeback with 10-men against Watford lately.
In terms of their next opposition, it’s Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace who take a trip to Goodison Park. Palace having lost back-to-back games versus Southampton and Sheffield United are 14th in the league with 30 points and will be desperate to bounce back with a win.
Date- Saturday, February 8
Kick-Off- 6:00 PM (IST)
Venue- Goodison Park
Everton
Fabian Delph was sent off in the second half of the dramatic 3-2 win over Watford and will miss out the upcoming fixture. Morgan Schneiderlin and Gylfi Sigurdsson are likely to accommodate central midfield for the hosts. Jean-Philippe Gbamin remains a long term absentee for the Toffees. Andre Gomes has returned to training after recovering from injury but might have to wait for a further few games to be involved. Keeping all things aside, Ancelotti should be persisting with a similar eleven that squared off against Watford.
Crystal Palace
Cenk Tosun, Mamadou Sakho and Jeffrey Schlupp are all on the sidelines due to injury for the away side. Roy Hodgson will be enclined to bring in Cheikhou Kouyate, with James McCarthy likely to be benched. Christian Benteke is expected to lead the attack, while Ayew, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur and Zaha should fill in at midfield.
EVE (Expected Playing 11)- Pickford; Digne, Holgate, Mina, Sidibe; Iwobi, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison
CRY (Expected Playing 11)- Guaita; Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Aanholt; Ayew, Kouyate, Milvojevic, McArthur, Zaha; Benteke
Richarlison has been one of the standouts for Everton as he’s bagged eight goals, three assists and has a pass accuracy of 66.5% from 1998 minutes in the league this season.
Jordan Ayew can be pivotal in the advanced role for Crystal Palace. Ayew has six goals, an assist and a pass accuracy of 78.3% from 24 appearances this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been quality on the attack for Everton. The 22-year-old has 10 goals and a pass accuracy of 65% from 1566 minutes in the league this season.
Wilfried Zaha on the right-wing can cause some damage from Crystal Palace’s end. Zaha has three goals, two assists and a pass accuracy of 80.5% from 25 appearances this season.
In terms of the last six games between the two sides, three games have been won by Everton, while three games have ended on level terms. Crystal Palace are yet to win a game during that period.
Considering Everton are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 league games, the hosts will be starting in as the favourites.
Team 1
Goalkeeper- V Guaita
Defenders- D Sidibe, Y Mina, G Cahill, L Digne
Midfielders- M Schneiderlin, L Milivojevic, J McArthur
Forwards- Richarlison (C), D Calvert-Lewin (VC), J Ayew
Team 2
Goalkeeper- V Guaita
Defenders- D Sidibe, Y Mina, L Digne (C)
Midfielders- M Schneiderlin, J McArthur, C Kouyate, T Walcott, W Zaha
Forwards- Richarlison (VC), D Calvert-Lewin
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