I’m not saying I’m getting carried away, but this is effectively the title decider at 3pm on Saturday. The league table doesn’t lie.
Every year, we joke about Crystal Palace and Roy Hodgson. Every year we find the entire situation funny and call Palace’s decision to keep Hodgson in charge counterproductive. Here they are, admittedly two games in, but keeping pace with Liverpool after laughing at Man United at Old Trafford in the process.
The funny thing here is, when they have the ball in the box, they look as good as anyone. If that clean sheet against Southampton is their home blueprint, then the trip to Manchester was their ideal scenario away from Selhurst Park, and they’ll pick up a few scalps if they maintain that level.
Everton, meanwhile, have reason for optimism after an eternity of not fulfilling potential. Their 5-2 thumping of West Brom was one thing, but a victory over a Spurs team that clearly isn’t as bad as we thought certainly gives more credit to the formline.
So, which unbeaten streak has to end? If it can happen to The Undertaker, it can happen to anyone.
Here are your three best bets for Crystal Palace and Everton:
Everton to Win
The biggest transition that happened at Everton this summer was not just the imports, but the significance in change of approach.
Everton, despite flashing brilliant players over the last number of years, have always been thought of as more dangerous on the break, without those players to properly build-up and keep the ball.
Now, having Allan and James Rodriguez, Everton have the actual capability of denying their opponent possession and dictating the pace of the game.
This will obviously suit Palace down to the ground too, as they don’t want the ball – but what Everton have that natural six that neither Southampton or Man United possess, so breaking through the channels shouldn’t be that easy when Coleman and Digne break forward.
Open and shut case here, I’d guess.
James Rodriguez to Have 3 or More Shots
You know the pattern of these games, especially as Selhurst Park is quite narrow.
Palace sit their entire midfield in front of the box, so teams have to go wide. They’re not drilled enough to maintain spacing when the ball comes back out from the initial clearance and the opposition 10 has all day to shoot.
Rodriguez certainly fits the bill of over-zealous, but he gets away with it to a large degree. That goal he’s already got to his name certainly doesn’t make this price any less of a value play either, by the way.
Lucas Digne to be Booked
Surely, this has a shot? Digne, an overly-ambitious, likes-a-tackle full back having to track back against these two wingers who switch frequently as to ascertain where the biggest advantage lies on the break?
Sometimes we overthink our positions, but I can’t recall too many more silky-yet-psycho players in recent Premier League squads than the Frenchman.
And I absolutely love him for it.
* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.
Crystal Palace v Everton tips summary:
Everton to Win
James Rodriguez to Have 3 or More Shots
Lucas Digne to be Booked
WHAT IS PADDY POWER’S SAME GAME MULTI?
A Same Game Multi with Paddy Power allows our punters to pick from multiple markets for a single event (across a wide range of sports) and combine two or more selections from the chosen event into one handy bet.
So, if you want an accumulator of beautiful bets from an individual match, you can now do just that! It’s just like building up a traditional accumulator really, and all that is left for you to do is sit back and enjoy the game.
Learn more about the Same Game Multi here.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- All the latest football previews from across the English football and Europe are just a click away
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Football tips: Our super 6/1 Same Game Multi for Brighton v Man United on Saturday
- Football tips: Our 3 punchy punts for Burnley v Southampton on Saturday
- Football tips: Our sweet 16/1 treble for Saturday’s Scottish games