Sky Sports expert predicts the result of Crystal Palace v Everton
Everton will travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League clash on Sunday.
Ahead of the match, Sky Sports expert, Lewis Jones has predicted a 1-1 draw between the two sides.
Jones has suggested that both Everton and Palace are “notorious” slow-starters.
“Crystal Palace have lost their last three Premier League games, all coinciding with the absence of central defender Joachim Andersen, whose ability to push up the pitch makes it easier for Palace to control games,” wrote Jones for Sky Sports.
“They haven’t had much luck putting away lower-ranked teams this season either, failing to win in five games against teams in the bottom half.
“Everton are also unbeaten in the last 13 Premier League meetings between the teams and put in a proper performance for their manager in the win over Arsenal. They’ll be just fine when Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns.
“One angle to focus on is the game sparking to life in the second half. Both these teams are notorious slow-starters with a patient, no-thrills approach in the opening knockings of a match. Of the 38 goals scored by these two clubs this season, 73 per cent of those have come in the second half.”
Rebuilding
After a tumultuous horror run of form, the Toffees finally returned to winning ways after they defeated Arsenal 2-1 on Monday night at Goodison Park.
After eight games without a win, it needed a moment of extraordinary quality from Demarai Gray right at the end to seal all three points for Rafa Benitez’s side.
It remains to be seen whether the victory can act as a turning point for their season. Can they now win games in a row?
Benitez is a defensive-minded manager who loves a patient build-up.
The Toffees are still missing their talisman striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin through injury, but many pundits feel they will be a different side when the England striker returns.
Palace, on the other hand, have gone four games without a win. They are heading into this match on the back of three consecutive defeats, and there’s no reason why Everton cannot pick up a positive result from his game.
The Eagles have lost only once at home this season, but Everton will fancy their chances here.
In other Everton news, Lee Johnson has slammed his club’s treatment of Nathan Broadhead.
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