There is only one 3pm kick off in the Premier League this weekend and it is at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace welcome Everton. The hosts begin the weekend in 5th place on 6 points while Everton are in second place, also on 6 points but with a superior goal difference.
Crystal Palace have enjoyed a good start to be season having picked up a victory at home against Southampton. However, better was to come as they travelled to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United last weekend. Crystal Palace produced a tremendous performance to come away with a 3-1 victory against a sluggish Manchester United team.
The Eagles took the lead after only 7 minutes of the match and extended their advantage from the penalty spot in the 74th minute. Despite conceding a goal with 10 minutes remaining, Wilfried Zaha capped an excellent individual performance by scoring the third goal for his team
Having been eliminated from the League Cup via a penalty shootout against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace have had all week to prepare for this game.
It has been an important start to the season for Crystal Palace who finished the previous campaign in dreadful form. in fact, their 2 victories this season in the Premier League have been their only 2 wins in their last 11 games in all competitions. In 10 of Crystal Palace's last 11 home all competition games there have been under 2.5 goals scored.
Everton travel south having recorded a 5-2 victory at Fleetwood Town in the League Cup on Wednesday night. It was a much changed team to that which has been playing in the Premier League but The Toffees continued their fine start to the season with an impressive victory.
That result means Everton have won all 4 of their competitive matches this season. Two of which have come in the Premier League and Everton started their campaign with a good 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur. Better was to come in their second league game of the season as Everton defeated West Bromwich Albion 5-2 at home. That included a hat trick from striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Interestingly, Everton have proved difficult opponents for Crystal Palace and trends show their most recent record of 11 consecutive games against Crystal Palace consists of no losses. In addition, 6 out of Everton's last 7 away clashes with Crystal Palace in all competitions have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
Looking ahead to the team news and Crystal Palace have a lengthy injury list including Connor Wickham, Gary Cahill, James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson, and Patrick Van Aanholt. Christian Benteke, Jairo Riedewald and Scott Dann are doubtful.
Everton have a few injury problems of their own with Cenk Tosun, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Jonas Lössl and Mason Holgate on the treatment table. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Fabian Delph are doubts.
This is a big game for both teams who are hoping to maintain their 100% start to the season. Both will be feeling confident of their chances and we could see the match end in a drew with under 2.5 goals scored.