Everton vs Crystal Palace — Tips & Analysis

Crystal Palace +0.5: Everton start the season in poor shape, and that is the heart of this one. They have won just 3 of their last 13 games, and their last five brought three losses and two ties. They are also without Garner, Iroegbunam and Norgaard, the three central midfielders on their list. Everton let in almost 2 goals a game in that run and score more than a goal a game. Big wins are not their thing either. They have won by 2 or more in only 2 of their last 13. Palace have won 6, tied 4 and lost 6 of their last 16, so they arrive as the steadier team right now. Everton have not played a competitive game in 90 days. Palace last played 22 days ago, and that extra football should show early. A scrappy opener that neither side can control looks like ending level, and 1-1 is our read. Palace avoiding defeat is what we are backing. There is a clear warning here. Everton have won 11 of the last 20 meetings between them and have not lost any of the last five. Palace also travelled badly last season, taking one win from seven away games and letting in 2 goals a game on the road. Everton's problems still look bigger, so we will take Palace to leave with something.