Date of Tips: 20/08/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (11:21 20/08/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Everton FC
v Crystal Palace FC 
Everton Stadium
Premier League Matchday 1 
22-08-2026 14:00
Everton Form
Crystal Palace Form
Everton vs Crystal Palace prediction is one of the more intriguing calls from the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season, with the sides meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 22nd August. Kick-off is at 15:00 BST, and Everton will hope home advantage helps them make a positive start against a Palace side beginning a new chapter under Pierre Sage.
There are plenty of moving parts. Everton have reshaped their midfield and attack over the summer, while Palace have also undergone significant changes following last season’s UEFA Conference League success. With both teams still settling into new-look squads, this opener could be competitive and relatively open.
This is Matchweek 1 of the 2026/27 Premier League season, so both clubs begin on zero points.
Everton finished 13th last season and David Moyes will be looking for improvement, particularly with the club now firmly established at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Palace finished 15th domestically but enjoyed European success, beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the Conference League final.
Pierre Sage has since replaced Oliver Glasner, meaning Palace arrive on Merseyside adapting to a new manager as well as significant changes within the squad.
The match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 22nd August.
Because it falls within the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout, Everton vs Crystal Palace will not be shown live on television or streamed domestically in the UK.
International coverage is available in selected territories, while UK listeners can follow audio coverage through BBC Radio Merseyside and talkSPORT.
Everton will be without midfielder James Gardner through injury, while another midfielder is also sidelined. Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil have left permanently, and Jack Grealish’s loan spell has ended.
Brennan Johnson is available for his competitive Everton debut, while fellow summer arrivals Merlin Röhl, Tyrique George, Hayden Hackney and Christian Nørgaard are also in contention.
Palace have lost Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea, while uncertainty continues around Marc Guéhi’s future. Daniel Muñoz is another whose involvement remains uncertain amid transfer discussions.
Dwight McNeil could face his former club, while Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oscar Mingueza, Anan Khalaili and Zavier Gozo are among Palace’s new options.
Everton predicted XI (4-3-3): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Hackney, Nørgaard; Ndiaye, Beto, Johnson.
Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Tomiyasu, Chadi Riad; Mingueza, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, McNeil; Mateta.
Palace’s right wing-back position carries particular uncertainty because of Muñoz’s situation.
Everton’s final five pre-season matches produced two wins, two defeats and a draw. They scored seven goals and conceded seven across those games, including a 3-1 win away to Newcastle and a 1-1 draw with Lille in their final friendly.
Palace’s summer was less convincing. Their listed friendly results include 3-0 defeats against Lens and Bromley, a goalless draw against Famalicão and a 5-1 victory over Swindon Town.
Their last competitive match was considerably more memorable, with Palace beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to win the Conference League in May.
Recent meetings favour Everton. The Toffees are unbeaten in their last five league games against Palace, winning three and drawing two.
The latest meeting finished 2-2 at Selhurst Park in May, while Everton won each of the previous three encounters 2-1.
The broader record is also impressive from an Everton perspective, with Palace winning only four of the last 29 meetings between the clubs.
Everton have scored seven and conceded seven across their five listed pre-season matches.
Palace conceded three goals against both Lens and Bromley during their summer preparations.
Twenty of the last 29 meetings in all competitions have produced over 1.5 goals, while the most recent encounter finished 2-2.
Everton have also avoided defeat in each of the last five Premier League meetings between the sides.
The strongest match-result angle is Everton or Draw.
Everton’s recent record in this fixture is difficult to ignore, and home advantage adds another reason to favour the Toffees. Palace certainly possess enough attacking quality to cause problems, but their managerial transition and defensive changes create uncertainty heading into the opener.
Match Result Prediction: Everton or Draw. Bet with bet365.
Both teams scoring appeals. Everton found the net regularly enough during pre-season without looking completely secure defensively, while Palace retain attacking threats including Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The previous meeting finished 2-2, and the changes within both squads could contribute to another game in which neither defence is completely comfortable.
You can find further BTTS tips alongside the matchday selections.
BTTS Prediction: Both Teams To Score – Yes. Bet with bet365.
Over 2.5 goals is the preference. Everton’s five listed friendlies produced 14 goals in total, while Palace suffered a couple of heavy pre-season defeats.
The last three Everton wins in this fixture have all finished 2-1, and the latest meeting produced four goals.
Over/Under Goals Prediction: Over 2.5 goals. Bet with bet365.
A 2-1 Everton win fits the expected pattern. It gives Palace credit for their attacking threat while siding with Everton’s home advantage and excellent recent head-to-head record.
Correct Score Prediction: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace. Bet with bet365.
Beto is the preferred first-goalscorer candidate. He is expected to start through the middle for Everton and scored nine goals last season, as well as finding the net in the most recent meeting between these teams.
First Goalscorer Prediction: Beto. Bet with bet365.
Everton should have spells of sustained pressure at home, while Palace possess enough attacking quality to contribute at the other end.
Corners Prediction: Over 8.5 total corners. Bet with bet365.
As an opening-week Premier League fixture between two reasonably well-matched teams, though, there should be enough competitive moments to make over 2.5 cards a sensible cautious line.
Cards Prediction: Over 2.5 total cards. Bet with bet365.
Everton or Draw, both teams to score and over 1.5 goals brings together the strongest themes of this Everton vs Crystal Palace preview without requiring an outright home victory.
Bet Builder Tip: Everton or Draw, Both Teams To Score – Yes and Over 1.5 total goals. Bet with bet365.
Everton’s home advantage and strong recent record against Palace give them the edge, although this looks unlikely to be straightforward.
Palace have enough attacking quality to score, but their defensive changes and adjustment to Sage’s management could leave openings for Everton to exploit.
Final prediction: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace.
Best match-result tip: Everton or Draw.
Goals prediction: Over 2.5 goals.
BTTS prediction: Yes.
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Everton are the slight preference, with Everton or Draw offering the more cautious match-result prediction.
The match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The game takes place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
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