Carlo Ancelotti has been steadily putting his stamp on Everton since taking over after Marco Silva’s sacking, and results have begun to improve with the Toffees undefeated in their last four Premier League matches. To extend that run to five, Everton must overcome a resilient Crystal Palace side who have the fifth-best defensive record in the Premier League despite sitting 14th in the table. Roy Hodgson’s side have suffered defeat in consecutive league games, and the Toffees must take advantage to move above both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United, even if only temporarily.
In order to apply pressure to the sides also competing for a European place, manager Ancelotti must drop midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic midfielder started in the win over Watford at the weekend but has had a largely disappointing campaign to date, scoring once and assisting two, failing to reach the same heights as last term. During the 2018/19 season, Sigurdsson registered 13 goals and six assists, but his drop off in attacking productivity this term has been significant, and Ancelotti should consider making a change.
Unfortunately for the Italian manager Fabian Delph was sent off in the victory over Watford after picking up two yellow cards and will be unavailable to face Crystal Palace through suspension. However, this could present Ancelotti with the opportunity to alter his formation and trial something different. Either Tom Davies or Morgan Schneiderlin could operate in a holding role as a defensive midfielder, while Bernard plays through the centre in an attacking position. The Brazilian has the same number of assists as Sigurdsson this season, two, but has scored one more goal with two.
Ancelotti has preferred using a 4-4-2 formation since taking charge at Goodison Park and has not strayed from the system during Everton’s unbeaten run over the last four matches. But making a slight alteration due to Delph’s suspension and Sigurdsson’s poor form, having provided one assist in his previous 11 games, could provide the attacking edge to see off Crystal Palace on Saturday and maintain the Toffees’ European challenge.
