Paul Merson predicts Everton v Crystal Palace scoreline, shares DCL verdict

Paul Merson believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin can keep Everton in the Premier League as he predicts a win against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Blues claimed their first point of the season in the 1-1 draw to Leicester City last weekend but the side still cannot hold onto a lead after Iliman Ndiaye opened the scoring.

Calvert-Lewin scored in consecutive games heading into the international break. Merson believes the forward can be the difference maker for the Toffees this season when offering his results prediction for Sportskeeda [26 September].

He said: “This is a hard game to pick. I don’t think there’s a million things wrong with Everton.

“They were 2-0 up against Bournemouth before losing it 3-2, scored twice against Aston Villa, who are the main contenders for a fourth-placed finish, missed a chance to make it 3-1 in that game and should have made it 3-3 instead of losing 3-2 in the end.

“They have played well in patches, obviously very unlucky as well. Everton should be winning this game at home to Crystal Palace. These are the fixtures that will define their season.

“If you look away from the results and look at the performances, I think Everton deserve slightly better and I’m backing them to win here.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has to stay fit to boost their chances this season. He missed a couple of good chances against Villa, but at least he got into them right positions. If he’s fit, Everton won’t get relegated.

“Prediction: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace.”

Everton must build on Leicester result against Crystal Palace

While the Friedkin Group are set to end the Farhad Moshiri era at Everton [Sky Sports], the club are facing an impending relegation battle unless results improve.

The match against Leicester was points on the board for Sean Dyche but after failing to beat a second newly-promoted side in a matter of days following the Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Southampton, the situation at Goodison Park is far more damning than first anticipated.

On paper, there are still capable players who can help the Toffees climb out of the relegation spots however as a collective they are failing to get the job done and with January so far away, important decisions will be made at the club in the coming weeks.

Dyche is all but certain to be shown the door at Goodison Park by Friedkin, with replacements reportedly already lined up [TEAMtalk] but there is still time for the Blues boss to stake his claim to remain in the dugout beyond the end of the season.

Dwight McNeil, Ndiaye, and Calvert-Lewin have all shown glimpses of quality amid the chaos, and if Everton stands a chance of claiming three points against Crystal Palace, those three will be integral.

In other Everton news, Dan Friedkin looked at a rival Premier League club before the Blues takeover deal was struck.

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