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Everton’s Predicted Starting XI vs. Crystal Palace: 8 changes, £27 million man to start

By Zac Jones

Everton's English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is challenged by Fleetwood Town's English midfielder Josh Morris during the English League Cup third round football match between Fleetwood Town and Everton at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, north west England, on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alex Livesey / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is challenged by Fleetwood Town's English midfielder Josh Morris during the English League Cup third round football match between Fleetwood Town and Everton at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, north west England, on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alex Livesey / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Everton
FLEETWOOD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Bernard of Everton scores his sides fourth goal during the Carabao Cup third round match between Fleetwood Town and Everton at Highbury Stadium on September 23, 2020 in Fleetwood, England. Football Stadiums around United Kingdom remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dave Thompson – Pool/Getty Images) /

Bernard has been flying but Andre Gomes is expected to keep his place.

Midfield

Defensive Midfield: Allan

Allan was another of the players that was rested for the midweek fixture against Fleetwood Town, with Fabian Delph returning to the side to play in the defensive midfield role.

But with Ancelotti confirming that Delph will not travel with the squad this weekend, instead being left back to prepare for the West Ham game next Wednesday, the Brazilian is expected to take his place back in Everton’s midfield.

Allan will have an important role to play this weekend in combatting Crystal Palace’s counter-attacking threat and Ancelotti will be looking for a solid and disciplined display from the former Napoli man.

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Centre Midfield: Abdoulaye Doucoure

An unconvincing performance from Gylfi Sigurdsson in midweek, particularly in the second half against Fleetwood Town, highlighted the fact that Everton have nobody else in their current squad that can give the same sort of performance that Doucoure provides.

His physical presence and constant energy up and down the pitch have been vital to Everton’s great start to the season and he will be key once again this weekend if the Blues are to come away from Selhurst Park with all three points.

Centre Midfield: Andre Gomes

Andre Gomes has made a solid, yet unspectacular start to the season and will need to step his game up a level if he is to cement his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s new look midfield. An impressive display from Bernard against Fleetwood in midweek will have given food for thought as he decides who his best option is to partner Allan and Doucoure in the midfield.

However, Ancelotti will be reluctant to tinker too much with his winning side and will likely give the Portuguese midfielder another chance to impress.

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