Crystal Palace vs Everton Predictions

• Crystal Palace have won four home games all season
• The Eagles have lost back-to-back matches as they focus on Europe
• Everton have 25 points on their travels, only three teams have won more

Victory lap for Eagles

Given how clearly Crystal Palace have switched their focus from Premier League action, it’s little reason this has been pushed onto Sky Sports’ F1 channel as three fixtures battle for airtime on Sunday afternoon.

This clash with Everton is a cause for celebration for the Eagles, after they secured a place in the Conference League final on Thursday night. After winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in the last 12 months, Palace can lift more silverware and secure themselves the Europa League spot they were harshly deprived of last summer.

Palace have slipped to 15th as a result, and they could keep falling as there’s little reason to take risks ahead of their European final, which takes place three days after their league campaign wraps up.

Everton eye their own European adventure

Jeremy Doku’s late goal on Monday night really dented Everton’s European ambitions, but they’re only four points off sixth in a season which could see the top nine qualify for Europe. The Toffees have been hard done by of late, shipping a late winner to Liverpool, losing at West Ham despite winning the xG battle, and letting a two-goal lead slip against Man City.

Everton generated 2.72 xG to City’s 1.54, and that display should give them confidence for the run-in. Their new home hasn’t exactly been welcoming, with the majority of their points coming on the road.

Eveton have won seven, drawn four and lost six of their 17 trips so far. Three of their defeats have come at the top four, and they head to a Palace side that has won four home games all season, with only three sides winning fewer.

Toffees can seize key contest

Palace offered little in their 3-0 loss at Bournemouth last week, conceding more than twice as many shots as they generated, while mustering just 0.89 xG. That performance was understandable, as the Cherries came out motivated, while the Eagles had their focus elsewhere.

Palace will have been toasting their semi-final success on Thursday, so the opportunity is there for Everton to take control of this game. They can build on their fine display on Monday, particularly after their impressive away displays this season.

The visitors are helped by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s good form, with the midfielder scoring in consecutive away games. He’s scored five of his eight league goals on his travels this term, and his eye for goal can punish a Palace side that have been giving away too many shots in the league of late.