Everton have fallen off a bit since their initial run to begin the Premier League season, but still sit comfortably mid-table through six matches.
But coming off a disappointing draw to a struggling Aston Villa side, Everton next host a surging Crystal Palace side that is on a run of 19 straight unbeaten, eclipsing a club record set back in 1969. Given Everton's recent dip in form, this is not an ideal time to face a team that just ended Liverpool's unbeaten run to begin the season.
Palace have largely done is on the strength of a stingy defense, allowing just three goals in those six matches, while only scoring eight themselves, suggesting a solid plan to force opponents to find a way around the likes of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, and Chris Richards on the back line, along with defensively solid wingbacks in Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz.
So it will be David Moyes' task to figure out how to set up his team to combat what Palace does best, and he'll have to do without one his key players due to a yellow card accumulation suspension.
Everton Starting Lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Jordan Pickford (GK): No guessing needed here, as England's no.1 is also Everton's.
Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): If he's healthy, it's pretty clear the Ukrainian will start. One of these days, Adam Aznou needs a run, but this isn't the matchup for it.
James Tarkowski (CB): Not at his best against Villa, and it's been kind of up and down for him this season. Could he be the one to give way when Jarrad Branthwaite returns?
Michael Keane (CB): Got on the scoresheet last week and has been generally solid in defense this year. Maybe he's the striker when Branthwaite returns?
Jake O'Brien (RB): This shapes up to be another tough day for him, as his lack of top-end pace could hurt him against Mitchell.
Midfielders
Idrissa Gana Gueye (CDM): No real question here, although questions are questions coming in just a few weeks when AFCON kicks off.
James Garner (CM): There's a case to be made that he's been among Everton's top three players so far this year.
Iliman Ndiaye (CAM): The suspension of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (which even the governing body for the referees has admitted is wrong) moves Ndiaye centrally, although there will be fluidity between him and Grealish.
Forwards
Jack Grealish (LW): He's getting a ton of attention from the opposing defenses, the hope will be that allowing Grealish and Ndiaye freedom to roam and swap places might take some of that focus away.
Tyler Dibling (RW): It's time to give the kid a real run in the league. He's a really good fit opposite Grealish and Ndiaye, given his propensity to put pressure on the defense by cutting inside.
Beto (CF): It feels like the veteran will continue to get the nod, with Thierno Barry getting his chances off the bench. One of these guys needs to take the job by the scruff, but neither has of yet.