The FA Cup third round commences with Crystal Palace hosting Everton at Selhurst Park on Thursday night. Both Premier League clubs are keen to improve on last season’s third-round exits and progress in the tournament.
Match Preview
Crystal Palace halted an eight-game winless streak in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Brentford.
Roy Hodgson’s side, now sitting 14th in the league, seek to carry forward this momentum in the FA Cup after a critical win that placed them six points clear of relegation.
The Eagles’ FA Cup history has been mixed, reaching the semi-finals in 2021-22 but facing third-round eliminations in four of the last six years.
They’ve had varying successes against Everton but managed a 4-0 win in their last FA Cup encounter in 2022.
On the other side, Everton experienced a dip in form, losing four consecutive games, including a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Sean Dyche’s side, 16th in the Premier League, aims to utilize the FA Cup to rejuvenate after a tough league run.
The Toffees face a challenging upcoming league schedule and would welcome a positive break. Despite recent struggles, Everton has had a decent record against Palace, winning three and drawing one in their last four encounters.
Team News
Crystal Palace awaits news on Michael Olise’s fitness after he sustained a potential muscle injury against Brentford.
Cheick Doucoure and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi remain sidelined, while several players like Odsonne Edouard and Joel Ward aim to make an impact if given a chance.
Everton’s Gueye, Young, and Alli are still out due to injuries, and Abdoulaye Doucoure faces a late fitness test.
The team might witness defensive alterations after the last game’s defeat, potentially seeing a shift back to a four-man defense.
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1)
Henderson;
Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell;
Lerma, Hughes;
Ayew, Eze, Schlupp;
Edouard
Everton: (4-5-1)
Pickford;
Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko;
Harrison, Onana, Garner, Gomes, McNeil;
Beto
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton
Expect a more cautious approach from both teams compared to their previous encounter. Given recent form and the desire to progress, a closely contested match might result in a draw, setting the stage for a third-round replay.