Everton have big plans in the FA Cup

The third round of the world’s oldest cup competition opens on Thursday evening with one of four direct first-leg clashes. While the highlight will undoubtedly be the thrilling clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday evening, another team from the city of the Beatles will also be looking to book their place in the next round a few days earlier. Everton Football Club will travel to the capital to take on the Eagles

Ahead of the clash between Crystal Palace and Everton, the betting odds on the three-way market underline quite impressively that two teams will meet at eye level. Nevertheless, the home side are given a slight advantage, although the Toffees have certainly been more convincing so far this season – especially away from home. At Interwetten, a potential bet on the away win is currently quoted at 2.80.

But as we all know, the cup has its own laws and the results from everyday league matches play a subordinate role at most, so the cards will be completely reshuffled at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening. Although both teams are defined by a concentrated, multi-legged defense and compact work against the ball is firmly anchored in their DNA, it does not seem out of the question that the Crystal Palace vs Everton knockout match could see a goal or two go in during the course of the game. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, a replay is also on the cards

Crystal Palace – Statistics & current form

Crystal Palace breathed a sigh of relief the day before New Year’s Eve. After eight (!) consecutive Premier League games without a win, five of which were losses, the Eagles finally returned to winning ways. The capital club won 3:1 at home against the Bees from Brentford, who are also in poor form at the moment, and had a brilliant Michael Olise to thank for it. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who is regularly linked with many top clubs across Europe, scored a brace and has now scored at least once in three of his last four league games

Crystal Palace are struggling at home

Lead by the speedy winger, who plays in the right attacking position in Roy Hodgson’s 4-3-3 system, the current 14th-placed side in the English top flight are also looking to make a splash in the FA Cup. Unlike last year, when the Eagles were knocked out in the third round against then league rivals Southampton, this time they are aiming for a similar run as in 2021/22 or 2015/16.

Eight years ago, Palace only lost to Manchester United in the final after extra time; in the 21/22 season, the Londoners at least reached the semi-finals. In view of the fact that the opening hurdle has proved too complicated four times (!) in the past six seasons, we would definitely refrain from predicting a home win after regular time in the Crystal Palace v Everton clash.

The disappointing performances at home so far also speak for this. Only two of the ten games at home have been victorious in the Premier League. Only the two promoted teams Sheffield United and Burnley have scored fewer goals at home than Roy Hodgson’s team, who have also been without a clean sheet in the English top flight since the beginning of November. The Eagles have conceded at least one goal nine times in a row. Meanwhile, a bet on both teams to score would have gone through in eight out of nine cases, so we’re keeping an eye on the “both score” odds for the Crystal Palace vs Everton knockout match.

Predicted Crystal Palace line-up:
Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Hughes; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Edouard

Everton – statistics & current form

With regard to Everton Football Club, we never tire of pointing out that the ambitious Liverpool club would be in a very different position in the standings if they had not been deducted ten points for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules. Instead of being in 17th place with 16 points and just one point ahead of the relegation zone, the Toffees would be in twelfth place, just ahead of the recent surprise team from Bournemouth. Could have, would have, if – the reality is different

Everton are looking forward to an away game

Nonetheless, the cup competition naturally offers an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the team’s true capabilities. In 90 minutes, coach Sean Dyche’s team is definitely capable of keeping up with all the top teams. At the same time, however, their recent performance in the 3-0 defeat at Wolverhampton also showed that there are no limits to the downside. It is therefore automatically associated with a lot of risk to make a prediction on the three-way market between Crystal Palace and Everton.

Especially in light of the fact that the Blues have recently lost three times in a row in the Premier League and thus lost their flow. With the exception of the aforementioned defeat against Wolves, however, their performances have mostly been very decent. The Toffees’ 3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the league around two months ago also gives them confidence. On Thursday, we also believe that the men from Merseyside are more likely to progress than the hosts.

This assessment is based not least on the away strength they have shown in the meantime. The Toffees have already won five (!) away games this season. One more than in the past two seasons away from home combined! With Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, there are only four teams who have scored better in away stadiums than Everton FC in 2023/24. Less pleasing is the fact that the Blues have lost seven of their last nine FA Cup games against Premier League opponents, including all four away from home…

Predicted Everton line-up:
Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Garner, Gomes, McNeil; Beto

Crystal Palace – Everton head-to-head / H2H record

In the Premier League, Everton have long since outed themselves as fearful opponents and uninvited guests at Selhurst Park. At league level, the Eagles have only won one of their last 13 matches at home against the Toffees.

The most recent head-to-head encounter this season went 3-2 to the Liverpool side, who twice equalized after leading twice but ultimately prevailed thanks to a late goal from Idrissa Gueye. London fans will have much fonder memories of the last time they met in the cup. In 2022, Palace won 4-0 at home against Everton and later even made it to the semi-finals.

Crystal Palace – Everton tip

For Crystal Palace and Everton, the FA Cup has a very important significance. In view of the quality, both teams are expected to have relatively little to do with the relegation battle and will instead be in the gray midfield of the standings, so the oldest cup competition offers the opportunity to play for a title and European Cup qualification until the end. First, however, a direct league rival must be eliminated in the third round.

We think the visitors from Liverpool have the advantage, having already won five away games in the league and making a more stable impression on us. Although the Eagles have won again recently, the bottom line is that they are far too harmless and especially not good at home. In our eyes, it therefore makes sense to place a bet on the X2 & Over 1.5 between Crystal Palace and Everton.