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Crystal Palace host Everton at Selhurst Park in the opening tie of the Third Round of 2023-24 FA Cup.
Palace are looking to avoid a fourth exit in the Third Round in five seasons, whilst Everton are looking to avoid consecutive exits at this stage for the first time since 2016-17 & 17-18 seasons.
Team News
Michael Olise is ruled out for Crystal Palace after he suffered a hamstring injury during their league win at home to Brentford.
Sam Johnstone (calf) is a doubt but Jordan Ayew is unavailable, after he was called up by Ghana for Africa Cup of Nations.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Joel Ward (both hamstring), Rob Holding (ankle) and Cheick Docoure (Achilles) remain absent.
Everton could welcome midfielder, Abdoulaye Doucoure back into contention following his recovery from a hamstring injury but he won’t be risked unless declared match fit by club doctors.
Ashley Young (fitness), Dele Alli (hip) and Idrissa Gueye (calf) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Crystal Palace host Everton at 8pm GMT on Thursday 4 January at Selhurst Park, live on ITV4 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace have lost four of their eight previous FA Cup meetings against Everton across six separate ties (W2, D2, L4).
- Everton are unbeaten in four of five previous FA Cup visits to Palace (W2, D2, L1).
- Crystal Palace have kept clean sheets in each of their two FA Cup wins over Everton – 6-0 in Jnauary 1922 and 4-0 in March 2022.
- Palace have won three of their last five FA Cup matches at home against top-flight opposition (W3, L2).
- Everton have won one of their last five away FA Cup matches against top-flight opposition (W1, L4), including defeats in their last four such games since beating Bournemouth in February 2016.
Prediction
Despite having ended their eight-match winless run against Brentford with an energetic attacking performance, Palace now face a tough task without Olise and Ayew who were two of their brightest sparks in a strong energetic fightback after a sloppy start.
Everton meanwhile were totally lacklustre with no shots on target in their defeat at Wolves, where they just failed to offer much quality across the pitch, because their defence just couldn’t live with the Old Gold’s attacking intensity and pace with three poorly conceded goals.
I however do expect Sean Dyche to put out a strong Everton team because Palace do look like they will be vulnerable without Olise and Ayew, although this should nevertheless be a tough game if Palace can find a way to deliver another energetic performance amidst squad rotation.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton
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