Everton will be hoping to take advantage of Crystal Palace’s unresolved managerial situation when they meet in a six-point basement battle on Monday night as both sides negotiate injury headaches.

It ahs been reported Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner has agreed to take charge of Crystal Palace, who are expected to part ways with Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson, 76, remains in a stable condition after being taken to hospital last Friday.

Assistants Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy are on standby if Glasner hasn’t been confirmed by Monday.

Mikhail Slain
Photo by: Mikhail Slain

Since a run of four consecutive Premier League wins in December, Everton haven’t won any of their last seven games (D3 L4). They have only scored four times in this run and failed to find the net in four of their last five.

This could be down to them missing their main goal scorer Abdoulaye Doucoure but the midfielder is back in team training and Everton could be set for a big boost against Crystal Palace.

 

 

 

 

(ALAMY – FREE TO USE)

Since a run of four consecutive Premier League wins in December, Everton haven’t won any of their last seven games (D3 L4). They have only scored four times in this run and failed to find the net in four of their last five.

This could be down to them missing their main goal scorer Abdoulaye Doucoure but the midfielder is back in team training and Everton could be set for a big boost against Crystal Palace.

Photo by S. Plaine

The Toffees’ six-goal top scorer has been absent for 10 of the previous 11 fixtures because of two hamstring injuries. In that time, Dyche’s side have won just once – which was against Palace in an FA Cup third-round replay.

But whether the midfielder is handed an immediate start is debatable. After missing almost a month, Doucoure played 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa in January in which he suffered a hamstring issue on his opposite leg.

The Blues will not want their talisman to break down again as they are in another battle at the foot of the table.

Ben Godfrey is back but was withdrawn early in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham because of cramp and came off in the 2-0 loss at Manchester City last weekend. Arnaut Danjuma (ankle), Andre Gomes (calf) Dele Ali (groin) and Lewis Warrington (ankle) remain side-lined.

Photo by Jrppezza

Palace face their own major injury concerns with attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze out with a muscle strain, as well as Michael Olise suffering another hamstring injury, in what is another hammer blow for Palace.

Still sidelined for Palace are Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh injury), Marc Guehi (knee) and defender Rob Holding hasn’t returned after playing just once for Palace, since signing last summer.

Palace have slumped down the table and there are fears among fans that they could be dragged into a dogfight. The Eagles are five points clear of the relegation zone but suffered a 3-1 loss to Chelsea last time out.

Just five points separate the Eagles from the drop zone and with Everton in 18th place, Monday’s match at Goodison could be pivotal in the battle for Premier League survival.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR