Sure Prediction For Today, Thursday 19th May 2022

Everton entertain Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday knowing a win would secure survival with a game to spare.

The Goodison Park club missed out on a chance to guarantee safety as they were reduced to 10-men and beaten at home by Brentford last time out but they have a second chance, although if they fail to win they will go into the final round of games knowing they could be relegated.

Palace sit comfortably in mid-table but they have been picking up results regardless of the fact they have little to play for and they head into the game seeking to extend a four-game unbeaten streak (W2, D2).

Everton are clearly the team in greater need here and they will be desperate to bounce back after their 3-2 defeat to the Bees, but a home win is by no means a certainty.

The Eagles have only lost three of their last 14 games across all competitions and have had the better of their meetings with Everton this term. The two sides have met twice, in the league and the FA Cup, and Palace has won both games with an aggregate score of 7-1 – although both of those games were at Goodison Park.

The relatively short price on a home win just doesn’t hold any appeal for me despite Everton’s strong form at Goodison Park. The defeat to Brentford perhaps showed some signs of nervousness, and with Palace showing no signs of easing up as the season winds down I’m more inclined to look at the goals markets, and both teams to score looks a good option.

There have been goals at both ends in three of Crystal Palace’s last five trips and they have conceded in all of those, while both teams to score has been a winning bet in two of Everton’s last three home games and they have scored in 11 of their last 14 at Goodison. Both teams have scored in each of the last four Premier League meetings between these two teams, so goals at both ends looks likely.

Everton will be desperate to make the most of this chance to ensure safety before the final round of games but Palace shouldn’t be underestimated here and they can leave Goodison with a point.

Patrick Viera’s men are unbeaten in four overall and have just two defeats in their last 10 away from home. Four of those games have finished honours even and three of those have been 1-1 draws.

The corresponding fixture finished 1-1 last season and Palace has an impressive defensive record away from home, conceding just 0.9 goals per game. Everton has only lost one of their last five home games, winning three, but have only scored six goals during that run. Our prediction is a home win or a draw for Everton.

Everton predicted lineup: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Iwobi, Allan, Doucoure, Mykolenko; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison

Crystal Palace predicted lineup: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Kouyate, Guehi, Mitchell, Gallagher, Milivojevic, Schlupp; Zaha, Mateta