Everton travel to Crystal Palace full of confidence after thrashing Manchester City 4-0, but need to be weary of a team desperate for a Premier League win.
Sam Allardyce is yet to taste success since taking over at Palace four games ago. Palace drew Watford 1-1 on Allardyce’s managerial debut but have lost three on the trot since. This could be a bogey match for Everton, who couldn’t be facing a more desperate team.
Palace will do everything they can to hand Allardyce his first win for the west London club. But Everton are in fine form and undefeated in three Premier League games entering Saturday’s game. The Toffees have outscored their opponents – City and Southampton – 7-0 in back-to-back wins.
Without any fresh injury concerns, and after signing Morgan Schneiderlin and Ademola Lookman, Ronald Koeman has never had more options at his disposal. Beating Palace away is a tough task, but here’s what has to happen for the Blues to come away from west London with a victory.
Keep Christian Benteke silent
There is no question that Christian Benteke is Palace’s most dangerous threat going forward.
He scored two goals midweek against Bolton in the FA Cup to ensure Palace’s passage to the next round of that competition. But Romelu Lukaku’s compatriot hasn’t scored in six Premier League matches. He last scored against Hull in early December and that trend needs to continue if Everton are to take all three points at Selhust Park.
Benteke is a streaky striker and a strong presence when firing on all cylinders. His goal against Hull on December 10 was the third game in a row he found the net. Most of the responsibility will fall on Ashley Williams’ shoulders, as he’ll be tasked to battle the big Belgian. Williams must stifle one of the league’s most dominant aerial threats.
It’s a difficult task but the result will depend on how well Williams and Ramiro Funes More deal with the formidable striker.
Control the tempo and capitalize on Palace’s mistakes
Morgan Schneiderin is poised to make his first Everton start in west London on Saturday and a lot is expected of the £24 million signing. Schneiderlin, alongside Tom Davies and Ross Barkley, will be expected to control the midfield and dominate proceedings.
Gareth Barry may also get the starting nod to offer Williams and Funes Mori further protection. Barkley has created 47 chances this season, more than any other Premier League player. The fact that Barkley missed a few matches earlier in the season makes that stat even more impressive.
Play to your strengths
The Toffees have the league’s fifth best defensive and sixth best offensive record in the top flight. Everton need to play to their strengths, which is based on their high-tempo, high press style of play. Koeman always organizes his teams well so Everton should come away with all three points if they play mistake-free football.
Crystal Palace is forever prone to make a glaring blunder and Lukaku will be waiting patiently for that moment. When it comes, look for Everton’s leading scorer to punish an extremely porous Palace defence. The west London side have conceded 40 goals in 21 matches, which is tied for the third worst defensive record in the league. Only Hull and Swansea have conceded more.
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That was one of the main reasons Palace brought Allardyce aboard. He’s renowned for running a tight ship, one that doesn’t concede often. So far, Palace have conceded eight goals in four matches since big Sam’s arrival. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before Allardyce solves his team’s defensive woes.
Let’s just hope it’s not in time for Everton’s arrival on Saturday afternoon.