As Everton battle to qualify for Europe in the final seven Premier League games, there was a positive development on Thursday night.
Crystal Palace recorded a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League quarter-final at Selhurst Park, meaning the Eagles are practically through to the last four barring a total disaster in Florence.
When you take a look at the date of the semi-final ties, there is one glaring positive for Everton and David Moyes.
What changes would you make from this side to face Brentford? 🤔
Predicted Everton XI for Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford.
Credit: GRV Media
Crystal Palace likely to field weakened team against Everton due to UEFA Conference League semi-final
Should Crystal Palace reach the semi-final as expected, the second leg falls on either Wednesday 6th May or Thursday 7th May.
Those dates are just days before Everton – who want Harry Wilson – are scheduled to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday 9th May.
With the Eagles currently 14th in the Premier League, their season pretty much hinges on the UEFA Conference League, so we would expect Oliver Glasner to put all of his eggs into the midweek clash rather than save his best players to face Everton.
It means the Toffees are likely to either play a weakened Crystal Palace side who will be focused on an upcoming UEFA Conference League final, or even if Glasner does still opt to field his best players on the Saturday, they would be tired and also potentially disillusioned if Shakhtar Donetsk – set to be their opponent – knock them out of Europe in the last four.
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With fifth place in the Premier League now certain to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season, it gives Everton a tiny boost in the battle to secure European football in the final seven games of this exciting campaign.
Give us your gut feeling… will Everton make it into Europe? 🌍
Everton manager David Moyes on Europe.
Should Moyes record a positive result against European rivals Brentford on Saturday, fans can genuinely start to dream about the UEFA Champions League.
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