Crystal Palace head to Merseyside on 22 August 2026, with Pierre Sage making his first Premier League appearance as the Eagles seek a fresh start after ending the 2025 campaign in 15th place with 45 points. The match against Everton offers a chance to reverse a recent 0W‑2D‑3L run and show the new manager’s ideas.
What does Sage bring to Palace?
Sage arrived from RC Lens in June after guiding the French side to a trophy. Known for flexible formations and controlled possession, he spent the summer installing his style in a busy pre‑season schedule that included games against Swindon Town, Bromley, Lens in the Como Cup and a final friendly versus SC Freiburg. No injuries or suspensions have been reported, giving him a full squad to experiment with.
How have the Eagles performed in pre‑season?
Palace’s warm‑up results were mixed. After a win over Swindon Town, they drew with Bromley and then faced Lens in a tightly contested cup tie. The German finale against Freiburg ended without a loss, leaving the squad unbeaten in its last two games. The balanced pre‑season form suggests the team can compete for points despite a goal‑difference of –10 (41 scored, 51 conceded) last season.
What challenges does Everton pose?
Everton arrive with momentum from a 3‑1 victory over Newcastle United on 12 August and a 2‑1 win in Germany against Hamburger SV. Manager David Moyes will be without James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam, but the Toffees have shown they can score, as evidenced by five goals in five friendlies. Their defensive record of six goals conceded in the same span indicates a potential vulnerability for Palace to exploit.
What’s at stake for the opening weekend?
Both clubs view the fixture as a statement of intent. For Palace, a win would signal progress beyond the 2025 finish and help close the 40‑point gap to league leaders Arsenal. A positive result could also boost morale after a recent 1‑2 loss to Arsenal on 24 May 2026. Everton, meanwhile, will look to cement early season confidence at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Who could make the difference?
Key figures for Palace include forward Jean‑Philippe Mateta, who scored in the May 2026 Premier League draw, and midfielder Ismaïla Sarr, whose pace may trouble Everton’s back line. On the opposite side, striker Iliman Ndiaye will be a focal point for the Toffees, having converted a penalty in the recent friendly against Lille.
The match promises a tactical battle, with Sage’s possession‑based approach meeting Moyes’s pragmatic style. Fans should expect an intense first half as both sides vie for early dominance, setting the tone for a long Premier League campaign.
