Fans across England and Kenya are already circling this fixture, and betting on it through the Linebet app takes just a couple of taps. The opening round of the 2026/2027 season sends Everton against Crystal Palace at the new Hill Dickinson stadium on 22 August. In Kenya the interest is high, and the odds sit at 2.21 for the hosts.
Why This Match Matters for Both Teams
The season starts here, so three points carry extra weight. David Moyes wants Everton to open strong at their new home after finishing 13th last term. Pierre Sage’s Palace arrives as reigning Conference League winners, eager to prove that European run was no fluke. Everton spent last season around mid-table, which makes the first round in the English Premier League a real statement game.
Current Form of the Rivals
Pre-season gave mixed signals for both sides. Everton beat Hamburg 2-1, drew 0-0 with Bolton and then slipped to a defeat against Stoke. Crystal Palace looked sharper going forward, winning 3-1 against Alula before falling 0-3 to Lens. Palace scored more in friendlies, though their defence looked shaky after selling Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.
Interesting Facts Before Kick-off
Everton lean on Beto and new midfielder Christian Norgaard from Arsenal, while Palace rely on Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta up front. It is worth remembering that both clubs sat within four points of each other last season, so the gap between them is thin. These evenly matched Everton F.C. vs Crystal Palace F.C. matches rarely produce blowouts, and our prediction leans toward a tight 1-1 draw.
