Crystal Palace will play their second home game of the Premier League season against Everton, with both sides maintaining a 100% record going into game week three.
The Merseyside visitors started their campaign with an impressive away victory against Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header, which proved enough to seal a 1-0 victory.
It was slightly harder for the Toffees when they hosted newly-promoted West Brom. Everton won 5-2, in a game that was remembered for the sending off of Kieran Gibbs and manager Slaven Bilic at half-time, as Calvert-Lewin bagged himself a hat-trick.
Everton repeated the scoreline against West Brom in midweek, when they traveled to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup. As for Palace, the south Londoners were knocked out the previous round against AFC Bournemouth having lost 11-10 on penalties after a stalemate.
Palace started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory as they hosted Southampton. Wilfried Zaha's volley from an Andros Townsend cross was enough to brush aside the Saints.
Last time out, Palace secured a famous away win yet again at Old Trafford with Townsend and Zaha's double flattening a lacklustre Manchester United side.
Zaha will have to be on top form if Palace are to get points out of this fixture. Whilst at the back, makeshift centre-back Cheikhou Kouyate will have to stop the threat of James Rodriguez and Calvert-Lewin.
-
Team News
Christian Benteke is in contention to start in this fixture but it is likely that Jordan Ayew will be trusted up top. Benteke hasn't been a part of the Eagles' promising start, but he is match-fit now and could feature against the Toffees.
Injury worries are starting to go down for Palace but Nathan Ferguson (knee), Gary Cahill, James Tomkins (both hamstring) and Patrick Van Aanholt (shoulder) are all still big misses.
Calvert-Lewin is fit to start despite having an issue with a minor hamstring problem in the Carabao Cup third round fixture against Fleetwood earlier in the week.
Fabian Delph made his first appearance this season on Wednesday evening but manager Carlo Ancelotti has ruled him not fit for the game against Palace.
Everton might be expected to keep the same lineup that thumped the Baggies 5-2 at Goodison Park in their last Premier League outing.
-
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace possible XI: Vicente Guaita, Joel Ward, Kouyate, Mamadou Sakho, Tyrick Mitchell, Jeffrey Schlupp, James Mcarthur, James McCarthy, Townsend, Zaha, Ayew.
Everton possible XI: Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Rodriguez, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
-
Form Guide
Palace and Everton have won their opening two Premier League fixtures so far and both teams will be hungry to make it a third consecutive win on Saturday afternoon.
In their last five meetings, Everton are on top, having remained unbeaten against the south Londoners during this period (W3, D2).
Palace haven't won against the Toffees since 21 September 2014 when Neil Warnock masterminded a 3-2 victory, thanks to a Mile Jedinak penalty, a Fraizer Campbell miskick and a fine finish from Yannick Bolasie.
-
Ones to watch
Everton - James Rodriguez
Rodriguez is showing his class and he earned his first goal against West Brom last weekend. His attacking set-pieces, finishing ability and immaculate passing should worry Palace's midfield and defence. They can't give him any space.
The Colombian has lit up the Premier League with his presence and he will be a handful for Palace who also have to keep an eye on Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
Crystal Palace - Wilfried Zaha
Zaha is on fire right now. Three goals in two games for the Eagles and the Ivorian doesn't look like stopping there. It's one of the best starts of the season that he has had in recent years.
The 27-year-old is the main man for Palace. If he plays anywhere near as good as he did against Man United or Southampton then Everton are in real trouble.
-
Previous meetings
Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace (08/02/2020)
The two most recently met back in February when COVID-19 wasn't an issue yet.
Bernard opened the scoring early in the first half when Theo Walcott beat Van Aanholt to whip in a cross for the Brazilian who volley past Guaita.
Benteke equalised just after the interval when he was played through by Zaha. Benteke squeezed the ball underneath Pickford who arguably should have done better.
The equaliser did nothing to boost the Eagles' confidence as Calvert Lewin's slight touch set up Richarlison who ran with the ball, turned Cahill inside out and slotted home. Calvert-Lewin killed the game off not to long after with a rebound from Richarlison's header.
-
Where to watch on TV
UK residents will be able to watch the game live on Amazon Prime Video on Saturday, September 26th from 3 pm.
Amazon's Premier League coverage will be available to stream for free on the Amazon Prime website and app without having to pay for a subscription.
-
Prediction
This is a tough one to call. Both sides are flying at the minute but Everton look really good. They are a much better team than last season and they ended their London curse with an away win at Tottenham.
Palace have proved that people should really stop doubting them after a perfect display against Man United last weekend. Everton have the better squad but both sides will fancy their chances of winning here.
Both teams are capable of scoring with their potent goal threats this season so it'll be very tight.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton