A win for Everton against Crystal Palace this weekend would put the Toffees right in contention for a place in next seasons Europa League.
10 league games have passed since Marco Silva’s sacking and the contrast in the Blues’ season ambitions couldn’t be more different.
After losing 5-2 to Liverpool it looked like Everton had a real fight against relegation on their hands. But under the stewardship of Duncan Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti, Everton have only lost one Premier League fixture, that coming away to the current title holders, Manchester City.
A victory against Palace could see Everton rise to seventh, they could go level on points with Sheffield United but the Blades’ superior goal difference means it’d take an absolute thrashing to move into sixth position.
Palace come into this one sitting 14th in the league, Roy Hodgson’s side are winless in seven outings. Their last three points came against West Ham on Boxing Day, since then they have lost three and played out four stalemates.
The clash is a repeat of this campaign’s curtain raiser, a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace’s last two visits to Goodison have been profitable for the Toffees, with the home side winning 2-0 and 3-1 respectively.
One to watch
Crystal Palace have really struggled for goals this season, netting just 22 in 25 league games.
Wilfried Zaha’s pace and trickery will no doubt cause Everton’s backline numerous problems, especially with lapses like those at Watford last time out.
The Ivorian international is having a disappointing season by his standards, netting just three times so far, but he will be desperate to get back to scoring ways against the side who tried to sign him last summer.
Team news
The hosts will be without Fabian Delph after his red card last week, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin will miss out.
Palace will be unable to use on-loan Everton man Cenk Tosun, Jeff Schlupp and Mamadou Sakho are out.
Man in the middle
David Coote will be in charge of the whistle for this one, in 19 games this season he has shown 78 yellow cards and one red.