Everton host Crystal Palace on opening day

Recent form

Crystal Palace come into the opener with four wins from their last five recent matches, including a 2-1 victory over Fulham in their most recent outing. Everton's preparations have been less convincing: one win, one draw and three defeats across the same span. Their last match ended 1-1, but the three losses before that — including a 3-1 reverse — point to vulnerability.

A win for either side would deliver three points from one played. A draw leaves both on one point. The arithmetic is straightforward, but Palace's rhythm and Everton's fragility make the likely outcome less so.

Head to head

The five most recent meetings between the clubs have produced 15 goals, an average of three per match. Everton won three of those encounters, all by 2-1, and drew the other two. The most recent meeting finished 2-2. That record offers some reassurance to the home side, though form since May has shifted.

Everton's interest in Liam Delap was confirmed earlier this summer when Everton want Delap — and they've made an offer, but whether that pursuit has any bearing on the squad available on Saturday is not yet clear. Lineups had not been announced at the time of writing.

Confirmed line-ups

Everton (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Merlin Röhl, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Hayden Hackney, Harrison Armstrong, Thierno Barry, Tyrique George, Iliman Ndiaye

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Dean Henderson, Chris Richards, Chadi Riad, Jaydee Canvot, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell, Daniel Muñoz, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Dwight McNeil, Eddie Nketiah

We are covering this one live. Follow it with us in the match centre for the line-ups when they land, the goals as they go in, and the full timeline.