In a clash of familiarity, Everton and Crystal Palace gear up for their fourth encounter in just over three months. The Toffees, currently sitting precariously in 18th place in the Premier League standings, hold an unblemished record against Palace this season, boasting two wins and a draw in their previous three meetings. With only a solitary point separating them from safety, Everton eagerly anticipate the chance to extend their dominance.

Despite a recent setback against reigning champions Manchester City, Everton have only suffered two defeats in 2024, underlining their resilience. However, their manager Sean Dyche may have concerns with just one victory in that span. Notably, their lone triumph came against Palace in the FA Cup, maintaining Dyche’s impressive head-to-head record of seven undefeated matches against the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Palace finds themselves hovering just five points above Everton and embroiled in the relegation battle. The club endured a tumultuous week as manager Roy Hodgson was hospitalized after falling ill during training, leading to the cancellation of their pre-match press conference. Reports indicate that Oliver Glasner is set to take over the managerial reins, adding intrigue to Palace’s situation.

On the field, Palace’s form has been lackluster, with only one win in their last six competitive matches. Their struggles extend to away games, where they have suffered defeat in their previous three Premier League outings. Not since the 2019/20 season have Palace experienced such a string of away losses in the league.

Key players to watch include Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré, who, despite missing significant game time, remains their top scorer in the Premier League. Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has been a consistent threat against Everton, although his impact has not always translated into victories.

Intriguingly, Everton could potentially draw three consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since 2015, adding a subplot to the upcoming clash.

As the stage is set for another showdown between these familiar foes, both teams will be eager to secure vital points in their respective quests for survival.