Everton vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance35,736.
Monday 7 December 2015 20:26, UK
Everton host Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football with Roberto Martinez's side looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.
The Blues' last defeat came over a month ago at Arsenal, with three wins and three draws since then, including Tuesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final triumph over Middlesbrough.
Palace, also come into the game with renewed confidence having bounced back from their defeat to Sunderland with a 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle last weekend.
Alan Pardew's side also have an impressive recent record on Merseyside, winning on their last two visits to Goodison Park while they also defeated Liverpool at Anfield last month.
Team news
Everton midfielder James McCarthy faces a late fitness test on a hip injury over the weekend to see if he will be available for the visit of Crystal Palace.
The Republic of Ireland international missed Tuesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final win at Middlesbrough and Martinez will leave it late to decide whether to include him.
Defender Leighton Baines is edging closer to full fitness after his second substitute appearance of the season after ankle surgery but will continue to be eased back in and is unlikely to start.
Palace are without Wilfried Zaha for Monday's fixture at Everton after the winger earned a suspension with a yellow card for diving against Newcastle.
The winger has been told to stop diving by his manager and that he could lose his place in the team if someone comes in and impresses against Everton.
Pardew is also without Bakary Sako due to a hamstring injury.
In their absences, he is likely to turn to turn to either Mile Jedinak or Joe Ledley, to strengthen his midfield against one of the division's most talented teams, or Lee Chung-yong as a more direct replacement.
Opta stats
Everton are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games played on a Monday (W7 D8).
Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last four Premier League games against Everton (W2 D1 L1).
At Goodison Park, the Toffees have lost four of their six Premier Leagues clashes with Crystal Palace (W2), including the last two [both by a 2-3 scoreline].
Romelu Lukaku scored in both top-flight clashes between these two sides last season, with both goals coming before the 10th minute.
Lukaku has scored eight goals in his last eight Premier League games for the Toffees.
Palace are the only side yet to throw away any points from leading positions in the Premier League this season; winning all seven games that they have led in.
Merson's prediction
This will be an excellent game!
Despite their disappointing draw with Bournemouth, Everton have been very good recently.
They are superb at home but Crystal Palace are much better away from home. I know they had a massive result at home to Newcastle but they are in good form away from Selhurst Park.
I think there will be loads of goals in this one. I'm going 3-2 Everton in what will be a great Monday Night Football!
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2 (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Everton are 21/20 favourites with Sky Bet ahead of their MNF clash with 5/2 shots Crystal Palace with the draw available at 13/5. The Toffees have scored 14 goals in their last six league outings at Goodison Park and are evens to score two or more goals in the match. Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley have scored in each of Everton's last two league outings and the pair are available at 13/2 to both net against Palace. Palace won this fixture last season 3-2 and are available at 4/1 to win by exactly one goal. Check out the tips from pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson here.
