Chris Sutton predicts Everton vs Crystal Palace result for BBC Sport amid Roy Hodgson streak
Chris Sutton has predicted Everton to go to Crystal Palace and put an end to their winning run under returning manager Roy Hodgson.
Since the former England boss was brought back in on 21 March the Eagles have reeled off three straight wins, while in that time Sean Dyche’s Toffees have only picked up a point and lost 3-1 at home to Fulham last weekend (15 April).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, scorer the last two times Everton beat Palace at Goodison Park, is finally back in contention, but it is the rarity of their opponents putting together a four-win streak that has pushed Sutton to opt for a 1-1 draw on Saturday (22 April).
In his BBC Sport prediction column for the week he said: “The fact Everton could not put away Fulham is a massive worry for them.
“We know they will scrap away under Sean Dyche but they need more quality if they are going to pick up the points they need to stay up.
“In contrast, Crystal Palace are safe now as far as I’m concerned after their recent revival under Roy Hodgson.
“It is almost three years since Palace last won four league games in a row and they’ve only done it nine times in total in the top flight in the Premier League era.
“So, it is only the law of probability that is stopping me from backing the Eagles to take this one. Everton are creaking, and cannot afford to lose, so I am going for a draw instead.”
Revival
Dyche produced a notable new manager bounce when he replaced Frank Lampard although it appears to have worn off, but the effect that Hodgson has had at Selhurst Park few saw coming.
While two of the most uplifting wins in Everton’s recent history came at home to Palace, 3-0 earlier this season (22 October) and the memorable 3-2 at the end of the previous campaign (19 May) that ensured safety, their last two visits to South London have been miserable.
Two defeats by a combined score of 7-1 in the league and cup last season make this potentially a daunting fixture, but there is no time for the players to get hung up on that when points are desperately needed.
The news from Dyche’s pre-match press conference on Thursday (20 April) that summer transfer target Amadou Onana may be back in the line up is as encouraging as having a fit number nine, and Everton will need all hands on deck to turn things around after two straight defeats.
It is still in the Toffees’ hands but it won’t be for much longer if they don’t start picking up points again, and with some tough games coming up defeat here would be damaging.
It was a revival from 2-0 down at half time that dragged the club back into the Premier League for another season just under a year ago so some of that fight is going to be needed once more to put a stop to the Hodgson run.