BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson reckons that Everton can “make life difficult” for Crystal Palace when the two sides face off at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The two sides come off the back of two excellent victories over the Premier League’s top-six last weekend – the Toffees recorded a 4-0 thumping over Manchester United, while Palace edged Arsenal 3-2 on Easter Sunday.
He has predicted that Everton will come away from the clash as 2-1 winners this weekend, especially if they play with the same tempo that caused United all sorts of problems.
“Both of these teams had excellent results at the weekend – Palace winning at Arsenal, and Everton thumping Manchester United. At home, however, [Palace] have not been as successful when they have break down teams who sit in against them, which is why it will be interesting to see how Everton are set up,” he told BBC Sport.
“I do think this will be an open game, which will suit Palace, but if Everton play with the sort of tempo they showed against United, they will make life difficult for them.
“The last time I tipped Everton to win away, they lost at Fulham – but I think they will leave with the points this time.”
OPINION
Both sides recorded excellent results last weekend, but you have to say that Everton’s win over United was the most impressive out of the two. Nobody would have expected Everton to come out and score four goals against them after losing away to Fulham the weekend before – in that match, there was not one player who deserved commendation. They looked completely transformed in this win, and that is certainly something that will stand them in good stead for their match against Palace on Saturday. Like Lawrenson pointed out, if they come out playing at the same kind of tempo that upset United, then Palace are not in for a treat in the slightest. Everton have come into the type of form that could well see them snatch the Europa League spot for this season – but they will have to beat Palace first. They edged the game over Arsenal, but Everton can take solace in the fact that their home form is not great.