Friday, November 22, 2024

Sutton’s predictions: Everton v Crystal Palace

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[BBC]

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.

Everton host Palace at 15:00 on Saturday.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Crystal Palace are a very capable side on their day, but they have not been playing well enough recently.

Everton boss Sean Dyche definitely needs a good result, and I am slightly worried about the atmosphere at Goodison Park if it turns ugly for whatever reason, and how the players handle that.

I keep going for Everton home wins, and being wrong, so I am not making that mistake again. They keep taking the lead but it feels like they need to get Jarrad Branthwaite fit again if they are going to hold out.

I actually fancy Everton here but without Branthwaite at the back I am not so sure they have got a clean sheet in them and, on that basis, I am going to say Palace will get a point.

Smith’s prediction: 1-1

Palace have looked bright on occasions without beating anyone, while Everton have gone in front in games and done well without seeing it out either – they have an attacking threat but they are fragile defensively and have completely crumbled in a couple of games.

Their confidence will be low, so I’d say Palace have a good chance of nicking a win, but then neither team have looked very convincing to me.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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