Everton vs Crystal Palace Match Preview (1 Viewer)

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After five games of a normal Premier League season, having not won a game by this point usually would have alarm bells ringing, but that may not be the case this time around.

For the first time in Premier League history, six clubs are still yet to win a game after gameweek five, meaning these two teams are showing no signs of panic just yet despite underwhelming starts.

Everton have had one of the most peculiar starts to a season in recent memory, as nobody can claim they have played poorly, but their inability to hold on to what they have is a huge concern.

Sean Dyche's side dominated a hapless Bournemouth side for 87 minutes before the international break, but somehow transpired to throw a two-nil lead away to lose in the dying minutes.

Everton lead 2-0 again away to Aston Villa and went on to lose, while they also failed to see out a one-goal lead at Leicester City last week, meaning they enter the weekend on one point, only off the foot of the table on alphabetical order.

Those outcomes mean that for the first time since 1999, Everton have taken the lead in three straight Premier League matches, but failed to win any of them, and has contributed to the unwanted record of dropping 18 points from winning positions in 2024 - the most of any PL club.

That could be about to change though, as the Everton faithful can be very excited about the imminent return of young defender Jarrad Branthwaite, with his influence last season contributing to the Toffees having the fourth-best defensive record in the division.

So far, Everton have the joint-worst defensive record along with Wolverhampton Wanderers, having conceded a whopping 14 goals in their opening five games, and that run coming while Branthwaite has been absent is no coincidence.

This is Crystal Palace's eighth game of the season, but the first taking place outside of London, and they could not have been handed a worse ground to visit, based on past results.

The Eagles are winless on their last nine visits to the blue half of Merseyside, but Oliver Glasner is yet to take charge of a game here, having been sat in the stands on the day he was appointed when the two sides drew 1-1 last season.

Glasner had a huge impact on Palace after his appointment last season, with many tipping them for a European challenge this season, despite losing Michael Olise, but results have not gone in their favour up to now.

After losing their opening two games to Brentford and West Ham United, Palace are unbeaten, but still winless in the league.

Draws against Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester United on paper looks like a decent run, but they must get a first win on the board if they do not want their season to dissipate in front of their eyes.

Like Everton, Palace have had great opportunities to win games, but their issue has been taking chances when they come their way, with star man Eberechi Eze guilty of missing two gilt-edged opportunities in their 0-0 draw with Man United last week.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace