On paper, this looks like one of Palace’s most winnable games of the season. Everton are in disarray at the moment – from the ownership wrangles at the very top all the way through to the injury problems they’re facing at team level.
So, three points are very much there for the taking today – but can the Eagles rise to their first Selhurst Premiership challenge for six years?
The injury list certainly hasn’t been as kind as it could have been to Palace. Neil Shipperley and Danny Butterfield are both some weeks from a return to first-team action, and you can now add Michael Hughes to that list.
The influential midfielder was crocked during the 1-1 draw at Norwich last week, and misses out today. Sandor Torghelle faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock in Hungary’s midweek friendly against Scotland, and may start from the bench. However, Ecuadorian forward Ivan Kaviedes is available for selection after completing his transfer in midweek.
Fortunately, Everton’s face similar problem. Talismanic forward Wayne Rooney is, of course, still missing for the Toffees, and new signing Tim Cahill is still playing for Australia in the Olympics. In the middle of defence, Joseph Yobo is certain to miss out and Alan Stubbs is also a major doubt.
Probable starting XI:
Speroni
Boyce Hudson Popovic Granville
Kolkka Riihilahti Hall Routledge
Kaviedes Johnson