Wednesday 16/04/2014, 19:00, England Premier League, Round 34, Everton vs Crystal Palace
Everton vs Crystal Palace Betting Preview
Last night, Arsenal did its part after a slow start and overcame a 0-1 deficit by scoring three unanswered goals. As a result they climbed back into the fourth place, the last one that sends a team to the Champions League, but Everton is within striking distance. A draw would help them tie the Gunners, but the hosts can hope for much more than that, as Crystal Palace is clearly the underdog of this fixture.
Everton vs Crystal Palace Betting Odds
Everton 1.40, Draw 5.20 Crystal Palace 10.00
Everton vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips
The hosts are one of the best home sides in the Premier League and in great form, winning seven games in a row and allowing four goals over that span. Everton is going to play both Manchester United and their city rivals in the remaining rounds, both teams being highly motivated to win.
Even though Everton will have home pitch advantage in both fixtures, it goes without saying that it is more difficult to earn points against the Manchester teams than Crystal Palace. In 16 games played in front of their fans, Everton lost just once and overall they have the second best defense in the Premier League.
Definitely their biggest concern ahead of this fixture is the disabled list, which now features six players, including two strikers. Kone and Traore joined a couple of long-term absentees and their absence from the starting formation will be missed, despite the fact that Lukaku and Mirallas are fit to play.
Naismith is also an option for Everton if they fail to score a goal in the first half, which would come as no surprise given Crystal Palace's precise defense. The visitors have consolidated their position above the relegation area and will be aiming one point tonight, to ease their relegation fears.
Key Facts
- Both Everton and Crystal Palace kept a clean sheet in three of the last four games and they have greatly improved their defense since they last met
- Crystal Palace hasn't scored against Everton in the last two games and the most recent confrontation between the two teams ended in a scoreless draw.
Everton vs Crystal Palace Betting Prediction
On a good day, Everton should be more than a match for Crystal Palace, regardless of how well the visitors play defense. The lengthy winning streak would suggest that the hosts should be backed at full stakes, but odds of 1.40 hold no value whatsoever. With six players injured, it should be just as safe and more profitable to bet on fewer than 2.5 goals to be scored at odds above evens with Pinnacle Sports.
Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.05 with Pinnacle Sports
