Everton
Crystal Palace
>Everton vs Crystal Palace Prediction & Betting Tips – 22/08/2026
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 22 August, where Everton host Crystal Palace in a fixture loaded with narrative. This is the Toffees' first competitive top-flight match at their new home after 131 years at Goodison Park, and David Moyes will want to christen the ground with a result. For Palace, it marks Pierre Sage's official bow as manager. With both sides closing last term in patchy form, the opening-day stakes feel amplified by fresh beginnings on each touchline.
Match Analysis
Everton open the Premier League season at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium as clear home favourites at 2.10, backed by three wins in their last five league meetings with Crystal Palace, including back-to-back 2-1 victories in 2025.
- 3 wins in last 5 PL H2H meetings, including 2-1 home and away against Palace in 2025.
- Hill Dickinson Stadium debut adds historic crowd energy, a factor that consistently lifts home sides on landmark occasions.
- Thierno Barry enters with strong personal motivation, targeting a revenge season as Everton's first-choice striker.
- Jarrad Branthwaite nearing full fitness after hamstring surgery, bolstering a defensive unit that Palace struggle to break down.
Crystal Palace arrive at 3.30 in a state of structural uncertainty. New manager Pierre Sage has publicly admitted his squad is not ready to play, while Adam Wharton is out with an ankle injury and Rob Holding is suspended, stripping Palace of key defensive pillars.
- Manager Pierre Sage publicly admitted Palace are not ready to compete, citing a disrupted pre-season.
- Adam Wharton (ankle) and Rob Holding (suspended) absent, leaving Palace's defensive structure severely undermanned.
- Cheick Doucoure carries fitness doubts, further weakening Palace's already fragile midfield engine room.
Key point: With both sides carrying injury concerns and Everton's late-season rust, backing a cagey, low-scoring affair via 1.91 offers a compelling alternative angle.
Form & Statistics: Everton vs Crystal Palace
Everton
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Crystal Palace
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Everton vs Crystal Palace: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
Lineups: Everton vs Crystal Palace
Everton
Starters
- 1 Jordan Pickford
- 2 Jake O'Brien
- 3 James Tarkowski
- 4 Jarrad Branthwaite
- 5 Vitaliy Mykolenko
- 6 Christian Norgaard
- 7 Merlin Röhl
- 8 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- 9 Iliman Ndiaye
- 10 Thierno Barry
Absent
- Hayden Hackney (injury)
- James Garner (groin surgery)
Crystal Palace
Starters
- 1 Dean Henderson
- 2 Chris Richards
- 3 Jaydee Canvot
- 4 Chadi Riad
- 5 Daniel Muñoz
- 6 Daichi Kamada
- 7 David Ozoh
- 8 Tyrick Mitchell
- 9 Ismaïla Sarr
- 10 Jørgen Strand Larsen
- 11 Eddie Nketiah
Absent
- Rob Holding (suspended)
- Adam Wharton (ankle/foot injury)
Medium confidence
A 4-2-3-1 against a 3-4-3 sets up an intriguing tactical contest at Goodison Park on the opening weekend. Everton's double pivot will need to be disciplined against Palace's wide forwards, with Iliman Ndiaye carrying much of the creative burden behind Thierno Barry in what promises to be a compact, competitive affair.
For Crystal Palace, the 3-4-3 offers width through their wing-backs and a front three built to press high. Jørgen Strand Larsen leads the line and will test Everton's centre-backs from the first whistle. Both probable XIs carry a degree of uncertainty at this early stage of the season, so tactical flexibility could prove decisive.
Our Verdict
Everton's double chance (1X) looks the shrewd pick here. The Toffees have won three of the last five Premier League meetings with Palace, including consecutive 2-1 victories in 2025, and the emotional charge of a first competitive match at their new home should not be underestimated. Pierre Sage has openly admitted his squad is not yet ready, which tilts the balance further. The home win at 2.10 offers standalone value, while the draw at 3.60 provides a safety net. Under 2.5 goals at 1.91 also merits consideration given both sides' patchy recent form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Everton vs Crystal Palace?
The 1X double chance, backing Everton to win or draw, is the standout selection here. Everton hold a strong head-to-head record, carry the emotional weight of their Hill Dickinson Stadium debut, and face a Crystal Palace side whose new manager Pierre Sage has admitted his squad is underprepared. The home side at 2.10 represents the clearest value on the card.
What time does Everton vs Crystal Palace kick off?
This Premier League fixture kicks off at 14:00 UTC on Saturday, 22nd August 2026. It will be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton's new home ground, which makes this occasion all the more significant as the Toffees welcome Crystal Palace for their first competitive fixture at the venue.
Where can I watch Everton vs Crystal Palace on TV?
Broadcast arrangements for this fixture have not been confirmed in our current data. We recommend checking the official Premier League website or your local television listings for the most up-to-date information on which broadcasters hold rights to show this match in your region.
What is Everton's recent record against Crystal Palace?
Everton hold a dominant recent head-to-head record against Crystal Palace, winning three of the last five Premier League meetings. Notably, the Toffees claimed back-to-back victories in 2025, triumphing 2-1 at home and 2-1 away. That consistency across both venues underlines why Everton enter this fixture as clear favourites at 2.10.