There are several clubs in the Premier League who will be hoping to break into the top six this season and one of them is Everton.
The Toffees have added a couple of players to their squad this summer with Moise Kean joining from Juventus, Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz and Fabian Delph from Manchester City.
However, they face a potentially tough task on the opening day of the season as Everton travel to London to take on Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have not been at their best in preseason and have won only one of their last six friendly matches. The win was a good 5-0 victory at Bristol City but there have been defeats at Barnet, Nottingham Forest and Young Boys. Their final game was a heavy 4-0 loss against Hertha Berlin and not an ideal way for Crystal Palace to end preseason.
However, trends show Crystal Palace have won three and drawn one of their last four Premier League matches. They defeated Arsenal and Cardiff City away from home plus Bournemouth at home. Playing at home in the Premier League, Crystal Palace have won two of their last seven, with the wins coming against Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth.
They have conceded 2 or more goals in four of their last six home Premier League games and Crystal Palace will be hoping the addition of Gary Cahill from Chelsea can help in that respect.
Everton have been finding wins hard to come by in preseason. They have remained undefeated in their last four friendly games but have won only one, which was 1-0 against Monaco. The Toffees have been held to a draw by Sion, Wigan Athletic and Werder Bremen.
The main concern has been the lack of goals and Everton fans will be hoping Moise Kean is the man to rectify the situation in this game.
Premier League form shows Everton ended last season much like their opponents and were unbeaten in their last four matches. There were wins at home against Manchester United and Burnley plus draws with Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur on the road.
Everton’s away Premier League form shows just one loss in their last three and a good 2-0 victory at West Ham United. Everton have scored 2 or more goals in four of their last six away Premier League games.
Team news and Crystal Palace could be without James Tomkins and Pape Ndiaye Souare due to injury. Gary Cahill could make his debut in defence while new signing Jordan Ayew will be hoping to play in attack.
What you get when you sign @GaryJCahill. 💪Best of luck at Crystal Palace, Gary. 👊💙 pic.twitter.com/Da8Dyu7YkD— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 5, 2019
What you get when you sign @GaryJCahill. 💪Best of luck at Crystal Palace, Gary. 👊💙 pic.twitter.com/Da8Dyu7YkD
Everton could hand Premier League debuts to Moise Kean, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph although the latter is rated as doubtful.
Crystal Palace will want to avoid the poor start they made last season but could be made to suffer in this game. Everton look strong and with a couple of new additions to the team could get the win, with under 2.5 goals scored.