Everton vs Crystal Palace

Everton’s most significant match of the 2021/22 Premier League season pits them against top-half hopefuls Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

Everton’s bid to avoid a first episode of final-day drama in 24 years took a hit last weekend, as they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-2 to Brentford at Goodison, ending a run of three league matches without defeat (W2, D1). But the ‘Toffees’ will be keen to pick themselves up from a morale-crushing failure, knowing a victory here will put their relegation fears firmly to bed ahead of the final weekend. There are not many reasons for optimism, though, as Frank Lampard’s men have lost both competitive meetings with Crystal Palace this season, including a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park. After conceding 3+ goals in both seasonal matches against Palace, Everton will feel rightfully concerned about their hopes of improving a dismal defensive record of 59 league goals conceded this term.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace had to come from behind to hold Aston Villa to a 1-1 away draw at the weekend, extending their unbeaten Premier League streak to four matches (W2, D2). With 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion sitting three points clear, Patrick Vieira’s men will be looking to whittle down the gap by taking advantage of this game in hand. The ‘Eagles’ have amassed an impressive 45 Premier League points in Vieira’s maiden season in charge and are currently four points shy of their joint-record 1992/93 and 2018/19 Premier League campaigns. That alone should serve as an added motive for Palace to seize the opportunity and complete their first-ever league double over Everton in the 22nd league campaign in which they’ve met. However, it’s worth noting that they’ve gone winless in four of their last five Premier League away fixtures (D1, L3).