David Moyes looking on worried as Everton manager

David MoyesImago

Early Everton team news vs Crystal Palace for Premier League opener in triple blow

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Published on:

19 Aug 2026, 9:10 am

Everton finally get their Premier League season underway against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

David Moyes will be hoping for a better start than last season, losing 1-0 against newly-promoted Leeds United at Elland Road.

This time around, the Toffees will kick off their season at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 22 August.

Several doubts are already surrounding the squad, and it doesn't make for good reading.

James Garner has missed the majority of pre-season, so it's no surprise that he's a major doubt for the opener.

But, when other issues crop up in midfield, you start to scratch your head for solutions.

Who else is injured for Everton vs Crystal Palace?

There could be three missing faces at Hill Dickinson.

Worryingly, they're all in midfield too as Moyes searches for the answers to get the season off to a positive start.

Ben Dinnery, an injury expert, has shared that Tim Iroegbunam and Christian Norgaard are also set to be out.

Sharing on his EPL Injuries site, they will join Garner on the sidelines.

It's said that the first of the three to likely return is new signing, Norgaard, with a possible return date of 29 August.

Garner's return remains unknown after surgery on his groin, but it shouldn't be too long.

As for Iroegbunam, that one is set to be longer and given he was close to a transfer away, it could force him to stick around.

Hayden Hackney, another new signing? Potential Everton starters vs Crystal Palace after latest injury blow

Who could start for Everton vs Crystal Palace?

The Toffees should have a familiar feel to them in defence.

But it's in midfield and the final third where things could change a bit more dramatically.

You would now expect Hayden Hackney to make his Premier League debut, with Merlin Rohl and Harrison Armstrong other options.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will take his more advanced role in the middle as usual, but could see Tyler Dibling and Iliman Ndiaye either side of him after positive pre-seasons.

Brennan Johnson is ready to go against his former side off the bench, with options galore in the final third, with Tyrique George, too.

Midfield could be where it's won or lost in the Premier League opener, so let's hope these injuries don't hit too hard.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall