Paul Merson predicts result of Everton Premier League clash v Crystal Palace
Paul Merson has backed Crystal Palace to beat Everton 2-0 when the two sides meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Toffees head into the fixture off the back of a damaging home loss to Fulham and face a Palace side who are bang in form under Roy Hodgson.
Merson doesn’t see the tide changing any time soon and has backed the Eagles to pick up their fourth win on the spin.
“People say that Roy Hodgson’s turned it around at Crystal Palace, but I think the fixtures were kind when he came in. Fair play to the players, but I have no doubt that Patrick Vieira would’ve also won these games,” said Merson (Sportkeeda predictions, 20 April).
“Everton’s fixtures are terrible now, and their match against Fulham was a must-win game.
“I thought they’d stay up on their home form, but last week’s result was poor. I can see Everton struggling to score goals this weekend.
“Crystal Palace are a proper mid-table team. They’ll give the top teams a game but won’t those matches, and they’ll defeat the teams below them.
“I expected them to win the three games they’ve won this month, and I think they’ll win this match as well. Crystal Palace 2-0 Everton.”
Crunch time
We are really starting to reach the crunch point in the season. Southampton, Leicester, Nottingham Forest and Leeds now look like the most likely teams to be fighting to avoid the drop which means consecutive wins will be absolutely vital.
After the good performances against Tottenham and Chelsea, it felt as if Everton just thought turning up would be enough against a Fulham side who had lost four matches on the spin before their trip to Goodison Park. An improvement is a must. If the performance resembles anything like the Fulham display, Sean Dyche’s side will be facing another damaging defeat square in the face.
Palace have been in fine form since Hodgson returned to the club and are now well clear of the threat of relegation. They’re playing with freedom and could pose Everton problems, particularly on the counterattack. Dyche must go back to basics. Packing the midfield and utilising a low block has reaped rewards during his tenure and it’s something he has to go back to.