Everton host Crystal Palace in what is the final home game of the season. It is Everton’s penultimate game and the last chance to secure Premier League safety before going into the final match of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Everton’s fate still remains in their hands and a victory against Patrick Viera’s side guarantees safety. The Toffees sit with 36 points in 36 games whereas their relegation rivals, Burnley sit with 35 and Leeds sit 18th with 34. Getting the better of this Palace side won’t be an easy task but in crisis situations, the survival skills kick in and that is what 37000+ fans inside Goodison Park will be hoping to see.
Frank Lampard does have a few issues at hand as injuries are once again curtailing Everton. Injuries have often proven disastrous for Everton this season and the lack of reliable squad depth in those areas has made the matters worse.
Everton will be navigating through some injuries and suspensions against Palace. Jarrad Branthwaite and Salomon Rondon will surely be missing from the match day squad because of the red card suspension as the duo were sent off in the Brentford game.
Everton injury news vs Crystal Palace
Fabian Delph had suffered a muscle injury against Watford. He’s likely to miss the rest of the season. Ben Godfrey and Donny van de Beek have been on the sidelines and are close to a return. Micahel Keane missed the last game due to illness. Ahead of the game, Lampard gave an update on the availability of his players.
"Ben might be in the squad. It’s just a testament to him, striving to get fit. I’ll take the decision whenever he’s involved at all and the others are out. Keane’s recovered, fully recovered. Van de Beek is in the squad. Calvert-Lewin is fine (via the club’s official YouTube channel)"
There were some scares for Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was seen stretching himself a bit in the final stages of the Brentford game and given the poor track record and abysmal luck he’s had this season, even the optimistic ones would have feared an injury but Lampard has stated that the striker is fine which is a boost and he should be in line to start.
Keane’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. Everton are without three of their five central defenders. Yerry Mina, Branthwaite and Godfrey wont be involved against Palace so having Keane back is a big plus.
Will Everton pick up three points against Crystal Palace?