Everton looks to continue their chase of a first trophy under Frank Lampard as they visit Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Quarter-Finals of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Palace and Everton are both seeking a place in the semi-finals for the first time since reaching the last four in 2015-16 season.
Team News
Luka Milivojevic and Will Hughes could return for Crystal Palace if pass late fitness tests, after the pair missed Monday’s draw against Manchester City through illness.
Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) and James McArthur (knock) remain absent.
Everton will be without Allan for their next three matches after he was red carded in Thursday’s win over Newcastle United.
Jonjoe Kenny (suspension) and Jarrad Branthwaite (illness) are expected to return to the starting line-up.
Jordan Pickford, Donny van de Beek (both illness), Tom Davies, Fabian Delph (both thigh) and Yerry Mina (quad) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have won just one of five FA Cup meetings against Everton across four ties (W1, D1, L3), although all five meetings took place pre WWII.
- Everton are unbeaten in three FA Cup trips to Palace (W2, D1).
- Both teams have each won one of their last two FA Cup meetings by 6-0 results in January 1922 and 1931 respectively.
- Palace have scored twice in each of their three FA Cup games this season.
- Andros Townsend has scored in two of his three FA Cup appearances for Everton this season.
Prediction
Having dug deep to claim a goalless draw against Man City with a stubborn defensive display, Palace should definitely be back to playing their expansive attacking football and will have momentum in their favour with no losses in their last five matches.
Everton meanwhile have bigger fish to fry in their battle for Premier League survival with three games in hand, which likely poses a tough question for Lampard on whether he prioritises extending this cup run or their relegation battle.
Lampard’s team selection therefore will be a crucial sign of how serious they intend to take this match, especially after scraping a win over Newcastle United on Thursday evening in another sluggish display where some players looked lacking in confidence plus team rhythm.
I am therefore intrigued to see how this match unfolds because if Palace get a strong start and can score first, they surely will have to be favourites for the win unless Everton keep it tight and do another smash-and-grab late winner like they did on Thursday evening.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Everton
Result: Crystal Palace 4-0 Everton
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