Preview: Everton vs. Crystal Palace – Team news and prediction

Replay in the third round of the FA Cup, as it is to be decided between Everton and Crystal Palace who will progress to the next round. The first match ended 0-0 in a tactical affair where both teams played with great caution. 

Everton is without a win in the last 6 matches, facing significant offensive difficulties with only 3 goals in those six games. However, they recently had a small success by playing a 0-0 draw against the top team Aston Villa. Palace has not been in action since the initial encounter with Everton, so they have had ample time on the training ground to both recover and work on tactical patterns.

Last five meetings between Everton vs. Crystal Palace: 
◉ 0-0: Crystal Palace vs. Everton 
◉ 2-3: Crystal Palace vs. Everton 
◉ 0-0: Crystal Palace vs. Everton 
◉ 3-0: Everton vs. Crystal Palace 
◉ 3-2: Everton vs. Crystal Palace 

Team news: 
Dele Alli and Ashley Young are definitely out of tonight's match, while there is a slight doubt regarding Dwight McNeil; however, he is expected to be in the starting lineup. Idrissa Gueye is away for the African Nations Cup and therefore not available for Everton the next couple of matches.

Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Rob Holding, Sam Johnstone, and Olise are all sidelined with injuries. Some are undergoing rehabilitation, but no risks are being taken, and they are therefore not part of tonight's match. Jordan Ayew is away for the African Cup of Nations and is also unavailable.

Everton expected lineup:
Virginia; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Garner, Gomes, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin.

Crystal Palace expected lineup: 
Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Richards, Hughes; Eze, Mateta, Schlupp. 

Prediction: 
Everton is currently focused on the defensive aspect, and at the same time, they are facing significant offensive challenges. Therefore, we anticipate a repetition of the first match, where it will be a tactical and low-scoring affair. Consequently, we predict there will be under 2.5 goals in the game, with odds at 1.75 on Bet365.