Crystal Palace are set to host Everton at Selhurst Park in what promises to be a tough game tomorrow, and pundit Chris Sutton has now given his verdict on what the score will be.
Both sides are coming into the game in fairly good form, with Palace fresh from their victory and clean sheet at Burnley last week, whilst Everton are unbeaten in their last three matches.
Former Premier League striker Sutton has now claimed that the lack of cutting-edge in front of goal for both sides, with both teams currently on 10 goals in 11 games, will go some way to determining the result.
Sutton predicts Crystal Palace to draw
In his column for BBC Sport, Sutton claimed that Palace’s clash with Everton will end in a 0-0 draw, with neither side able to break the other down.
“I went for Palace to get a point at Burnley last weekend but they ended up taking all three, just by doing what they do well – defending well and then taking their chances,” he claimed.
“This feels like it’s going to be another close game, partly because Everton are definitely improving, but also because of the way both teams play.
“Neither of them really want the ball too much, or ever score many goals.
“It ended 0-0 when they last met, at Selhurst Park in April, and I’m going for the same outcome this time. This game doesn’t just have a whiff of a draw, it is more a really strong stench.”
Crystal Palace’s strong defence
Crystal Palace now have the joint-most clean sheets in the Premier League, with five in 11 games, and this defensive solidity has compensated for the struggles going forward.
However, Palace welcomed Eberechi Eze back last week, and Michael Olise is set to be in the squad for the first time this season. With both talented attacking players in the side, Roy Hodgson will be hoping that his team can become more potent in front of goal, whilst also building upon their strong base at the back.
Everton have had similar issues, as the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana have been impressive defensively, but they have struggled to finish off their chances. If both sides continue their attacking struggles on Saturday, a 0-0 draw may be the most likely result.
