Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace are on a three-match losing streak ahead of Premier League matchday 16. hit the skids. Only six points separate Crystal Palace and the relegation zone ahead of a clash with Everton on Sunday at Selhurst Park.
Everton are two points better off in the Premier League table than Crystal Palace and sit in 12th place. The Toffees claimed a matchday 15 win over Arsenal, 2-1, which ended an eight-game winless run without a win.
On this day in 2016 🗓We played out this @premierleague classic with Hull 🤝#CPFC pic.twitter.com/TqKWn99Lp5— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 10, 2021
On this day in 2016 🗓We played out this @premierleague classic with Hull 🤝#CPFC pic.twitter.com/TqKWn99Lp5
The pressure had been growing on Benitez, but for now, he has given himself some breathing space. He could get even more breathing space with a win or draw against Crystal Palace away from home.
Crystal Palace have not defeated Everton in the Premier League since the 2014-15 campaign. Seven of the previous 13 Premier League matches between Crystal Palace and Everton ended as draws.
In 2020-21, the Toffees travelled to Selhurst Park and obtained a 2-1 win. All three goals came in the first period after a nil-nil halftime score. The reverse fixture played at Goodison Park ended 1-1. Three of Everton’s last six trips to Selhurst Park ended as wins.
Vieira has a nearly fully fit squad ahead of matchday 16. James McArthur and Joachim Andersen are both close to returning from injuries. The duo could make Sunday's matchday squad.
Only Nathan Ferguson is ruled out of the game due to injury. However, Joel Ward will miss the game due to being suspended after receiving five yellow cards.
Benitez continues to be without long-term absentee Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker is still nursing a broken toe. Striker Salomon Rondon is ruled out of the match due to a hamstring problem.
Centre-back Yerry Mina is ruled out through injury along with central midfielder Tom Davies. Lucas Digne and Benitez have fallen out according to reports. Benitez has suspended Digne in the wake of their issues.
Crystal Palace have failed to win each of their last four matches. Their last three fixtures all ended in defeat. Vieira’s team took seven points from the last 18 available. Everton collected a mere four points from the last 18 on offer in the Premier League.
Neither team is in good form and it should show on Sunday at Selhurst Park. Seven of the teams’ last 13 meetings ended as draws. Sunday’s game should be another stalemate with under 2.5 goals scored and both teams finding the back of the net.