Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is a big fan of Everton's England players.

Hodgson has inside knowledge of Everton players from his time as England coach.

“For a long time Jagielka, Baines and Rooney were an integral part of my England team and Ross Barkley," he said. “I know the players, and I know how good they are, but that doesn't exactly help me. I would prefer if they were less good."

Palace are six points from safety after nine defeats in their opening 11 games but their next eight games – starting today – are against teams outside the top seven. Everton have yet to win on the road this season.

But Hodgson said: “ I don't rank the opponents in the same way that you do. I think sometimes when you're not doing very well and are down at the bottom it's easier to play the top teams than those around you.

"What worries me about statistics like 'you are playing a team that doesn't win away', they will win away, there is no question about that, it's just a question of when, and there's nothing to stop them from doing it on Saturday."