Everton open their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at the Hill Dickinson tomorrow, hosting Crystal Palace in a fixture David Moyes’ side have dominated in recent years.
The Toffees are unbeaten in 11 meetings with Palace across all competitions since May 2022, but they’ve lost their opening-day fixture in each of the last four top-flight seasons without scoring — a run they’ll be desperate to end.
Team news
Everton have three midfielders unavailable. Christian Nørgaard is still working his way back from an unspecified issue and won’t feature on his intended debut, while James Garner (groin) and Tim Iroegbunam (knock) are also out.
That leaves Moyes with a decision to make in the middle of the park — Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could drop into a deeper role alongside £16m summer signing Hayden Hackney, who arrives off the back of a Championship Player of the Season campaign at Middlesbrough.
Brennan Johnson, signed from Palace this summer as part of the swap deal that took Dwight McNeil the other way, is in contention to start and could line up alongside Iliman Ndiaye and Thierno Barry in attack.
At the back, Jarrad Branthwaite came through pre-season without issue and should partner James Tarkowski at centre-back, with Jordan Pickford continuing in goal.
Palace have a goalkeeping doubt of their own. Dean Henderson twisted his ankle in the pre-season defeat to Freiburg and is unlikely to be risked, which would open the door for Walter Benítez to start.
Daniel Muñoz, who played just 18 minutes in pre-season after Colombia’s World Cup run, may start among the substitutes, with new signing Óscar Mingueza in line to fill the right-sided role instead.
Ismaïla Sarr has been the subject of transfer interest this summer but is expected to start regardless, having top-scored for Palace last season with 21 goals.
Everton possible XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Hackney, Dewsbury-Hall; Johnson, Armstrong, Ndiaye; Barry
Crystal Palace possible XI: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Mingueza, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Pino, Sarr; Strand Larsen
Match details
Competition Premier League, Matchweek 1
Date Saturday 22 August 2026
Kick-off 3pm BST (14:00 GMT)
Venue Hill Dickinson Stadium
Referee TBC
How to watch
UK TV Not televised live — 3pm Saturday blackout applies
UK Radio BBC Radio Merseyside, talkSPORT
Live text/clips Sky Sports (Soccer Saturday)
Club coverage evertonfc.com matchday live blog
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