Two struggling Premier League sides meet in the FA Cup third round with the hopes of securing a boost to their floundering league standing as Everton travels to London to meet Crystal Palace.
Everton have been in the midst of the Premier League relegation battle ever since their point deduction for financial irregularities, while a recent dip in form has slumped Crystal Palace nervously towards the bottom three as well.
Both sides will know progression in domestic cup action could provide an opportunity for a confidence booster, but risking too many first-team players in competitions of lower priority could simultaneously jeopardise their chances at all-important league survival.
Crystal Palace will be looking to avoid another early Cup exit this season after they were dumped from the EFL Cup in the third round back in late September. Everton, meanwhile, reached the quarterfinals of this year's EFL Cup, only dropping out thanks to a penalty shootout against Fulham last month.
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Crystal Palace vs Everton prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Everton (+170)
- Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton
Despite their recent dip in league form, having lost their last three matches of 2023, Everton are still better positioned to not only avoid relegation from the Premier League, but also advance in a head-to-head match.
After a modest start to the season, Crystal Palace have nosedived since the start of October, with just two wins in their last 13 Premier League games. They have just two clean sheets in that span, while conceding two or more goals on eight occasions.
It has Roy Hodgson under pressure, while Sean Dyche has Everton clear of the relegation zone even despite their points deduction. The Toffees are the worst finishing team in the English top flight, but they create lots of chances and defend at a mid-table level. They should advance here, understanding the idea that squad rotation could cause significant variability.
| DraftKings (USA) | |
| Palace win (90 mins) | +160 |
| Draw (90 mins) | +220 |
| Everton win (90 mins) | +170 |
| Both teams to score Y/N | -135 / +100 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +100 / -140 |
| Palace to advance | -104 |
| Everton to advance | -118 |
Crystal Palace vs Everton match facts
- Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: Selhurst Park (London, England)
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: Craig Pawson - Last meeting: Crystal Palace 2-3 Everton (Nov. 11, 2023 | Premier League)
Crystal Palace vs Everton best bet
- Pick: Over 2.5 goals
- Odds: +100 (DraftKings)
Crystal Palace's defensive record speaks for itself, as they have consistently shipped goals over the past three months. Everton, however, have shown signs of leakiness as well, especially in the wake of injuries to midfielders Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye.
Their absences have forced Roy Hodgson to deploy Chris Richards into an unnatural spot at the No. 6, and while the U.S. youngster has performed well, his unfamiliarity with the role has left the rest of the squad unsettled around him. The in-form Michael Olise is out injured for Palace, but Eberechi Eze should manage to shoulder the load just fine in his stead.
These two sides often play to high-scoring results, with the over 2.5 threshold hitting on seven of their last nine meetings across all competitions dating back to the start of 2020, including a 3-2 Everton win last time out at Selhurst Park. If Abdoulaye Doucoure, who just returned to Everton training, returns to action here, that's an even greater boost to this selection.
Crystal Palace vs Everton prop bet
- Pick: Eberechi Eze 2+ shots on target
- Odds: +250 (FanDuel)
With shot machine Michael Olise out for Crystal Palace, Eberechi Eze will be tasked with making up for his loss of production in the attacking third. The two translate almost one-for-one in terms of shot production, and this will be a good chance for him to have a pop on goal.
Even with Olise in the lineup, Eze has had his fair share of efforts, with nine shots in his last three Premier League appearances, bagging a goal against Brentford last time out. Now that Olise is sidelined, it'll largely fall on Eze's shoulders both from open play and set pieces, including penalty duty.
Crystal Palace vs Everton prop bet
- Pick: Abdoulaye Doucoure 1+ shot on target
- Odds: +100 (FanDuel)
For Everton, Abdoulaye Doucoure has been sorely missed in midfield, but there's a chance he returns to action in this match. Doucoure has returned to training after a hamstring injury which kept him sidelined through the festive fixtures, and Sean Dyche called his participation in this match "touch and go."
If Doucoure starts, he'll be a key contributor in the attacking third with Dominic Calvert-Lewin misfiring at every opportunity, but even if he makes the bench he could come on late to gain fitness and provide a spark. Wait on lineups for this one, but if he is involved, he'll likely have a go.
Crystal Palace vs Everton live stream, TV channel
| Region | TV channel | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Now |
| UK | ITV 4 | ITVX |
The broadcast rights for the 2023/24 FA Cup in the United States are owned by ESPN, with every game across the competition shown on ESPN+.
The match will be shown on ITV 4 across the United Kingdom, while Sportsnet has the rights in Canada.
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