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Robert Warlow

What the pundits are predicting as Crystal Palace face Everton at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace and Everton go head-to-head at Selhurst Park tomorrow (Saturday), with both sides assured of a place in the Premier League next season.

The Eagles secured their safety with a 3-2 win against Arsenal last weekend at the Emirates Stadium, moving Roy Hodgson's men on to 42 points.

Their opponents this weekend are seven points and three places better off, and pushing for a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League this season.

But how will the game go? Three pundits have had their say ahead of the game.

BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson - Palace 1-2 Everton

"Both of these teams had excellent results at the weekend - Palace winning at Arsenal, and Everton thumping Manchester United," he said in his weekly predictions feature for the BBC website.

"That sort of display against one of the top teams is typical of Eagles boss Roy Hodgson, and he deserves a lot of credit.

"His Palace side are well coached, they close the gaps and leave no spaces when you play against them, and they are capable of hurting any team with pace they have got on the break.

Wilfried Zaha celebrates after scoring against Arsenal (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

"At home, however, they have not been as successful when they have to break down teams who sit in against them, which is why it will be interesting to see how Everton are set up.

"I do think this will be an open game, which will suit Palace, but if Everton play with the sort of tempo they showed against United, they will make life difficult for them.

"The last time I tipped Everton to win away, they lost at Fulham, but I think they will leave with the points this time."

Alan Shearer makes big statement about Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka after PFA snub 

BetVictor columnist Michael Owen - Score draw

"Both Palace and Everton gained excellent wins against "big six" sides Arsenal and Manchester United respectively on Sunday, but the Eagles must transfer their excellent away form back to Selhurst Park, while the Blues lost at Craven Cottage in their last away game," he said in his weekly blog for the bookmaker.

"I expect to see an open entertaining game, but I can't split the sides."

Every word Palace boss Roy Hodgson just said on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wilfried Zaha & Everton 

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson - Palace 1-2 Everton

"Everton have turned a corner, but one Sunday they're smashing United 4-0, the week before they're getting done by Fulham. This is it with scores at the end of the season. It's so unpredictable at times," he said in his weekly predictions feature for the Sky Sports website.

"Palace too, they were getting beat here, there and everywhere, then go to Arsenal who haven't lost at home in ages and win. But they struggle at home, so I fancy Everton to win it."

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