Everton begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
The opening fixture brings together two sides that finished close together in the top half of the table last season.
David Moyes will hope Everton can build on the progress made during their first campaign at their new home, while Oliver Glasner’s Palace begin another season with European football on their schedule.
Everton vs Crystal Palace preview and prediction
Everton and Crystal Palace enter the new season with realistic ambitions of competing in the upper half of the Premier League.
The two teams were separated by little during the closing stages of the previous campaign, making this one of the opening weekend’s most evenly matched fixtures.
Everton will look to make home advantage count, but Palace have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to frustrate opponents before attacking quickly through the spaces they leave behind.
Everton look to build under Moyes
Moyes begins another full season with Everton after guiding the club away from relegation trouble and towards a more stable position.
The manager’s approach has given Everton a clear structure.
They are comfortable defending without dominating possession, competitive during physical contests and dangerous from crosses and set pieces.
Their performances at Hill Dickinson Stadium will be particularly important. Everton need to make their new home a difficult place for visiting teams if they are to challenge consistently in the top half.
The opening match provides an immediate test of that ambition.
Palace possess the speed and directness required to punish defensive mistakes, meaning Everton must balance their attacking intentions with protection against counterattacks.
Palace face another demanding season
Crystal Palace enter the campaign with their reputation considerably enhanced by the progress made under Glasner.
Palace have developed into an organised and dangerous team capable of competing with the Premier League’s strongest sides.
Their shape allows them to defend compactly before releasing players forward quickly when possession changes hands.
That approach could suit an away match at Everton.
Palace may not need to control possession to influence the contest. They will instead look to draw Everton forward, regain the ball and attack the spaces around the home defence.
Their European commitments will create additional demands later in the season, but the opening weekend gives Glasner an opportunity to begin the league campaign before fixture congestion becomes a major concern.
The tactical contest
The battle for territory could determine the match.
Everton will want to push Palace backwards through crosses, second balls and pressure from set pieces. Moyes’ team should also look to involve the crowd by beginning with intensity.
Palace must remain composed during those periods.
Glasner’s side will attempt to play through Everton’s pressure and release their attacking players into space. Their wing-backs could become particularly important when converting defensive situations into attacks.
Everton must also avoid conceding possession in central areas.
Palace can move the ball towards goal quickly, reducing the time available for defenders to recover their positions. Preventing those transitions may be more important than Everton’s overall share of possession.
At the other end, Palace will need to compete strongly in the air and defend the second phase after crosses and set pieces.
Players to watch
Jordan Pickford remains central to Everton’s defensive strength.
His shot-stopping and distribution can help Everton withstand Palace pressure before beginning attacks from deeper positions.
Iliman Ndiaye offers Everton creativity and the ability to carry the ball through crowded areas. His movement could help the hosts disrupt Palace’s defensive structure.
Jean-Philippe Mateta provides Palace with a strong central presence.
The striker can occupy defenders, protect the ball and finish opportunities inside the penalty area. Everton’s centre-backs must prevent him from establishing control close to goal.
Palace will also look for attacking contributions from their wider players, particularly when Everton commit numbers forward.
Recent meetings suggest another close match
The teams produced two competitive meetings during the previous Premier League season.
Everton won 2-1 at home in October before the return fixture at Selhurst Park ended 2-2 in May.
Those results underline how little separated the sides.
This opening match could follow a similar pattern, with both teams having periods of control without either establishing a clear advantage.
Everton vs Crystal Palace probability prediction
The probability graphic provides a simple prediction for the three possible outcomes.
Insert the Everton vs Crystal Palace probability graphic here.
The percentages show the predicted likelihood of an Everton victory, a draw or a Crystal Palace win.
Score prediction
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Everton’s home advantage should help them apply pressure, particularly from crosses and set pieces.
Palace, however, possess the organisation and counterattacking threat required to respond.
With the teams appearing closely matched, a draw is the most reasonable score prediction.
