Everton vs Crystal Palace: Premier League Match Preview

Everton and Crystal Palace step into the new Premier League season with an early test at Hill Dickinson Stadium – and for fans, the usual 3pm headache returns.

Here’s how to follow it, wherever you are.

Match details

The game is set for Saturday, August 22, with kick-off at 3pm UK time at Hill Dickinson Stadium. It’s one of the opening fixtures of the new campaign and a quick chance to gauge where both sides really are after pre-season optimism and injury niggles.

Is Everton vs Crystal Palace on TV in the UK?

No. The long-standing Saturday 3pm blackout across English football means there will be no live TV broadcast of the full match in the UK.

That doesn’t mean total radio silence. Sky Sports News will carry its Soccer Saturday show from 12pm, with live updates, in-game reports and studio analysis as the action unfolds at Hill Dickinson and around the country.

Live stream options in the UK

There is no legal live video stream of the match for UK viewers, either on TV apps or online platforms, because of the same blackout regulations.

Palace fans do have one route to follow every kick: live audio commentary is available through the Official Crystal Palace App via a Palace TV+ subscription. It’s audio only, but it’s live and tailored to the away end.

How to watch in the US

Fans in the United States get the simpler deal.

The match will be shown live on USA Network, with kick-off at 10am ET. It will also be available via NBC Sports’ digital platforms and the Peacock app, giving American viewers both traditional cable and streaming options to watch Everton and Palace open their league campaigns in full.

Team news

Everton’s midfield plans have already taken a hit.

James Garner (groin) and Tim Iroegbunam (abductor) are both ruled out, leaving gaps in the engine room just as the season starts. Summer signing Christian Norgaard is a doubt after a recent knock, and his availability could shape how Everton set up in the middle of the pitch.

Crystal Palace have had their own scares but at least one key boost. Adam Wharton is available again after an injury concern and should strengthen their options in midfield. The bigger question hangs over Dean Henderson. The goalkeeper twisted his ankle in a pre-season friendly against Freiburg, and Palace will leave it late before deciding whether he starts between the posts.

Head-to-head: Everton’s grip on the fixture

History leans heavily towards Everton in this one.

Across 26 previous Premier League meetings, Everton have won 12 times. Palace have just 3 victories, with 11 draws rounding out the record. The blue half of Merseyside has made a habit of finding a way in this fixture.

Hill Dickinson Stadium has already seen late drama between these sides. In October 2025, Everton edged the first league meeting at the ground thanks to a last-minute winner from Jack Grealish, a goal that set the tone for the venue’s early Premier League nights.

Now the stage is reset. Palace arrive trying to loosen Everton’s grip on this rivalry, Everton looking to prove that dominance still counts when the new season whistle blows.