Everton vs Crystal Palace LIVE commentary: Hodgson steps down ahead of six-point relegation clash – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Premier League strugglers Everton and Crystal Palace will meet in a crunch relegation six-point showdown tonight, live on talkSPORT.

The Toffees are languishing in the bottom three, but are only five points and two places below the Eagles in sixteenth.

No Premier League team is on a worse current run than EvertonCredit: Getty

Sean Dyche's side know they would be safe without their ten-point deduction, but are still waiting on their first league victory of 2024.

Everton haven't secured a Premier League win since mid-December but can leapfrog Luton Town to move within two points of Palace.

The visitors, meanwhile, are enduring their own turbulent season after suffering heavy back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Chelsea.

Palace have also already lost at Goodison Park this season, falling to a 1-0 defeat there last month in an FA Cup third round replay.

Everton vs Crystal Palace: Hodgson departs

Roy Hodgson has confirmed he has stepped down as Palace's manager as he continues to recover from illness.

The 76-year-old has been in hospital after falling ill at the club's training ground, and it has now been revealed by the club that he's no longer manager after a run of poor results.

In a statement, Hodgson said: “This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life. I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top class players and staff doing what I love every day.

“However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer.

“I would like to thank Steve Parish and his American partners for their support, along with my coaching staff and backroom team who have helped me so much along the way. In particular, a huge thank you to my long-term friend and assistant, Ray Lewington; coaches Dean Kiely and Paddy McCarthy; plus the excellent sports science, video analysis and medical departments.

“My thanks and respect also to the current squad of players who have been a pleasure to work with - they are a credit to the club and themselves. I am certain that our fans will continue to give their full support to the team for the remainder of this season and beyond.

“I am confident that the season will finish well and I wish the team every success in the weeks, months and seasons to come.”

Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner is set to take over.

Hodgson was taken ill at Palace training on Thursday and has now left the clubCredit: Getty In all competitions, Everton’s only win in their last 11 games (D5 L5) was at home against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup in January. Having already beaten them in the Premier League this season, the Toffees are looking to win three games against an opponent in a season for the first time since 2019-20 vs Watford. Everton manager Sean Dyche has won seven Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, only winning more against Bournemouth (8). He’s unbeaten in seven against the Eagles (W4 D3) since a 2-0 defeat with Burnley in November 2019. Following their 3-2 win at Selhurst Park back in November, Everton are looking to complete their first league double over Crystal Palace since 2004-05.

Everton vs Crystal Palace: What has been said?

Dyche has not been discouraged by Everton's run of seven games without a win, saying:  "Some of the performances have been very good, with clean sheets and points in there against tough sides.

"There are lots of positive signs - we just need to score more goals and I think we all know that."

On the well-being of counterpart Hodgson, Dyche added: "Bigger than the game is his health and we hope he comes through that no problem.

"We want that more than anything."

Palace took the lead against Chelsea before suffering a second-half collapseCredit: Getty After winning back-to-back away league games against Everton 3-2 in 2014, Crystal Palace are winless in their last eight visits to Goodison Park (D3 L5). Everton have drawn their last two Premier League matches at Goodison Park – they haven’t drawn three in a row at home since a run of four in January/February 2015. Since a run of four consecutive Premier League wins in December, Everton haven’t won any of their last seven games (D3 L4). They have only scored four times in this run and failed to find the net in four of their last five.

Everton vs Crystal Palace: Team news

Everton have been handed a welcome boost of Seamus Coleman and Amadou Onana's return but Abdoulaye Doucoure remains a doubt.

However, Arnaut Danjuma and Andre Gomes are still sidelined alongside long-term absentee Dele Alli.

For Palace, Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Michael Olise, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are all out for the foreseeable future.

It is yet to be seen whether Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, and Will Hughes can be fit to make the trip here.

Everton's point deduction could see some of their stars leave in the coming monthsCredit: Getty Crystal Palace have lost their last three away Premier League matches, shipping 11 goals in these games. The Eagles haven’t lost more consecutively since losing their final four away games in the 2019-20 season. This will be Crystal Palace’s second successive Premier League match played on a Monday, after their 1-3 defeat to Chelsea last week. Indeed, it will be the Eagles’ 16th Monday fixture in the competition over the last four seasons (2020-21 to 2023-24), at least two more than any other club. In all competitions, Everton’s only win in their last 11 games (D5 L5) was at home against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup in January. Having already beaten them in the Premier League this season, the Toffees are looking to win three games against an opponent in a season for the first time since 2019-20 vs Watford.

Everton vs Crystal Palace: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, February 19.

Kick-off at Goodison Park is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT will have live and exclusive coverage from Merseyside, presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary comes from Sam Matterface and former England midfielder Danny Murphy.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.