Everton begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday when Crystal Palace travel to Merseyside for an intriguing opening-weekend clash.
The Toffees have an excellent recent record against Palace and will hope that home advantage can help them start the season strongly, but both teams possess enough attacking quality to make this more open than the head-to-head numbers initially suggest. With Iliman Ndiaye, Brennan Johnson and Thierno Barry on one side and Ismaila Sarr, Yeremy Pino and Jorgen Strand Larsen on the other, our preferred bet is Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 2.15.
Prediction Summary
Our prediction: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Everton have lost none of their last 11 meetings with Crystal Palace across all competitions and should have an advantage at their new home, particularly against a Palace side beginning a new era under Pierre Sage.
However, Everton have midfield absences, while Palace still possess significant attacking quality despite the managerial transition. Ismaila Sarr scored 21 goals last season, and the visitors were surprisingly effective away from home.
We expect both teams to find the net, with BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals at 2.15 offering the best value.
Quick Prediction
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals
Market: Goals / Bet Builder
Correct Score Prediction: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Odds: 2.15
Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Expected Goals: Over 2.5
Both Teams To Score: Yes
📅 Date: Saturday 22/08/2026
🏟️ Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
🏆 Competition: Premier League
Match Preview
Everton begin another Premier League season under David Moyes with considerably more stability than they have enjoyed for much of the last decade.
Moyes successfully moved the club away from relegation danger after returning in 2025, and for significant periods last season Everton even looked capable of pushing for European qualification.
Their campaign ultimately faded badly.
The Toffees failed to win any of their final seven Premier League matches, recording three draws and four defeats, which eventually dragged them back down to 13th place.
That gives Saturday’s opener extra importance.
Everton have never gone eight consecutive Premier League games without a victory under Moyes, so there should be plenty of determination to prevent last season’s poor finish from carrying into the new campaign.
Pre-season produced mixed but respectable results.
Everton recorded three wins, two draws and two defeats, while Moyes has also been given several new players as the club tries to make a genuine push towards the top half.
Hayden Hackney is an especially interesting addition after being named Championship Player of the Season at Middlesbrough.
Brennan Johnson could also make his competitive Everton debut following the unusual swap deal that saw Dwight McNeil head in the opposite direction to Crystal Palace.
Those additions give Everton more attacking possibilities.
Johnson’s pace alongside Iliman Ndiaye can create problems in transition, while Thierno Barry provides the physical presence to occupy Palace’s three centre-backs.
Everton’s opening-day record is a concern, though.
They have lost their first Premier League fixture in each of the last four seasons and remarkably failed to score in all four defeats.
But Palace are one opponent Everton generally enjoy facing.
The Toffees are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Crystal Palace across all competitions, while Palace have won only one of their last 23 Premier League meetings with Everton.
That historical dominance is difficult to ignore.
Crystal Palace, however, enter the season with significant attacking quality of their own.
The Eagles ended a turbulent 2025/26 campaign in spectacular fashion by winning the Conference League, beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final.
It was also the perfect farewell for Oliver Glasner.
Pierre Sage has now taken charge after an excellent spell in France, and his immediate challenge is integrating a new tactical approach while also preparing Palace for Europa League football.
Their pre-season has been inconsistent, with three wins, one draw and three defeats.
There are also changes to the squad.
Brennan Johnson has moved to Everton, while Dwight McNeil could potentially make his Palace debut against his former club. New arrival Oscar Mingueza provides another option, particularly with Daniel Muñoz still working back towards full fitness following the World Cup.
The key attacking threat remains Ismaila Sarr.
Sarr scored 21 goals last season and is expected to continue in attack despite speculation around his future.
Alongside Yeremy Pino and Jorgen Strand Larsen, Palace possess enough quality to create problems even if Everton control large periods of the game.
Their away performances last season also deserve respect.
Palace collected 53% of their Premier League points away from home, one of the highest proportions in the division.
This is therefore not simply an Everton-home-win selection for me.
Both teams have enough attacking quality to score, and if the first goal arrives reasonably early, the match could become much more open.
A 2-1 Everton victory looks the most likely scoreline.
Looking for more opening-weekend selections? Read our Hull City vs Manchester United prediction or visit our latest football betting tips for more Premier League predictions and value bets.
Why BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals Makes Sense
The head-to-head numbers point strongly towards Everton, but I prefer the goals market.
Everton have strengthened their attack and should be capable of creating chances at home.
Ndiaye was one of their most dangerous players last season, while Brennan Johnson adds genuine pace and directness. Barry should provide another penalty-box threat.
Palace also have enough attacking quality to score.
Sarr’s 21-goal campaign speaks for itself, while Pino and Strand Larsen provide support around him.
There are defensive and midfield issues for Everton as well.
Christian Nørgaard is unavailable, while James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are also sidelined. That potentially leaves Hackney and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall operating together in a reshuffled central midfield.
Palace can exploit that.
At the other end, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is a doubt after twisting his ankle, while Daniel Muñoz may not be ready to start after playing only 18 minutes during pre-season.
Those uncertainties increase the potential for chances.
The opening-day dynamic is also interesting.
Everton desperately want to end their sequence of four straight opening-day defeats, while Palace begin a new managerial era and should not simply arrive to defend for 90 minutes.
A 1-1 result would beat our over bet, so we need at least one team to score twice.
I believe Everton are the more likely side to do that.
Their strong head-to-head record, home advantage and Palace’s transition under Sage all point towards a narrow home victory.
Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace therefore fits the selection perfectly.
At 2.15, Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals is our preferred value bet.
- ✓Everton are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Crystal Palace.
- ✓Palace have won only one of the last 23 Premier League H2Hs.
- ✓Everton won this fixture 2-1 last season.
- ✓Everton ended last season on a seven-game winless run.
- ✓The Toffees have lost their opening league game in four consecutive seasons.
- ✓Everton failed to score in all four of those opening-day defeats.
- ✓Palace collected 53% of their Premier League points away from home last season.
- ✓Palace kept clean sheets in five of their last eight opening-day matches.
- ✓Ismaila Sarr scored 21 goals last season.
- ✓Everton are missing several central midfield options.
- ✓Dean Henderson is a doubt for Crystal Palace.
- ✓Daniel Muñoz has had limited pre-season preparation.
- ✓Our correct score prediction is Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace.
- ✓BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals is priced at 2.15.
Team News
Everton have some significant midfield absences.
Christian Nørgaard is not ready to make his debut, while James Garner is sidelined with a groin problem and Tim Iroegbunam is also unavailable.
That could force Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall into a deeper midfield role alongside Hayden Hackney.
Hackney arrives after an excellent Championship campaign with Middlesbrough and should immediately become an important part of Moyes’ midfield.
Brennan Johnson is also pushing for his Everton debut following his move from Crystal Palace.
Jarrad Branthwaite has completed pre-season without any major problems and should partner James Tarkowski in central defence, with Jordan Pickford starting in goal.
Crystal Palace have uncertainty surrounding Dean Henderson.
The goalkeeper twisted his ankle during the friendly defeat to Freiburg and faces a late fitness decision. Walter Benitez is ready to replace him if required.
Daniel Muñoz has had very limited preparation following Colombia’s World Cup campaign, which could allow Oscar Mingueza to start on the right.
Ismaila Sarr is expected to feature despite continued transfer speculation.
Players to Watch
Iliman Ndiaye
Ndiaye remains one of Everton’s most dangerous attacking players.
His ability to receive between the lines and attack defenders directly should be particularly important against Palace’s three-man defence.
Brennan Johnson
There is an obvious storyline surrounding Johnson potentially making his Everton debut against his former club.
His pace gives Everton another dimension and should create opportunities if Palace push their wing-backs forward.
Ismaila Sarr
Sarr scored 21 goals last season and remains Palace’s biggest goal threat.
Everton may control more of the ball, but Sarr is extremely dangerous when space opens in transition.
Hayden Hackney
Hackney was Championship Player of the Season in 2025/26 and now gets the opportunity to establish himself at Premier League level.
With Everton missing several midfielders, he could immediately have an important role.
Head-to-Head
Everton have dominated this matchup for a long time.
The Toffees are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Crystal Palace across all competitions.
Palace have won only one of the last 23 Premier League H2Hs, with that victory coming at Selhurst Park in December 2021.
Their last league victory away to Everton came all the way back in the 2014/15 season.
Everton also won this fixture 2-1 last season, coming from behind through late goals from Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish.
Despite Everton’s dominance, the previous meeting also supports our expectation that Palace can contribute to the scoring.
Final Verdict
Everton deserve to be slight favourites.
Their head-to-head record against Crystal Palace is outstanding, Moyes has strengthened the squad and the Toffees should receive a significant lift from starting the campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
But Palace should not be underestimated.
They won European silverware last season, collected more than half of their league points away from home and still possess dangerous attacking players.
Sarr in particular can hurt Everton if the home side leave space.
Everton’s midfield absences are another reason why I do not love backing the hosts simply to win.
The goals combination offers better value.
I expect Everton to eventually edge the game, but Palace can find the net and make this competitive.
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals at 2.15 is our best bet, with Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace the correct score prediction.
FreeOddsTips Prediction
Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 2.15
Confidence: 4/5
