The first game of the night is under way. It is a mighty big one for Everton, who know that a victory will seal their place in next season's Premier League.

Anything else takes the fight to the final day.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

After making a mess of things last time out against Brentford, Everton will be desperate for the win that would ensure they stay up. If they are still in danger on the last day of the season, then it could get messy for them.

Crystal Palace carry a real attacking threat so Everton will have to be careful - and keep 11 men on the pitch this time.

But I'm expecting another fantastic atmosphere at Goodison Park and the fans will help them get over the line - just about.

Lawro's prediction: 1-0

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Villa Park

That is a bold move by Burnley boss Mike Jackson to bring James Tarkowski back.

Tarkowski has been suffering from a tight hamstring and there were concerns that he might not play again this season.

However, desperate times call for desperate measures and Tarkowski's return tonight underlines Burnley's need for points.

The noise level at Goodison has just risen a notch. The home fans here know they can play a part in helping the Blues scramble over the line.

The teams will be out shortly for our first game of the evening.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Burnley huffed and puffed against Tottenham on Sunday and showed plenty of spirit to stay in that game until the end, but ultimately they lacked the quality to pick up any points and ended up dropping into the relegation zone later that day, when Leeds drew with Brighton.

The Clarets need at least a point from their last two games of the season or they are definitely down, and I don't see them getting anything here.

You could argue Aston Villa have nothing to play for but this is the end of Steven Gerrard's first season in charge and he will want to finish off on a high note in their last home game of the campaign.

Will Burnley take the game to Villa and run the risk of being picked off early on? I doubt it. They will probably do much the same as they did against Spurs, when their target was a draw. They will keep things tight but I still think Villa will win.

Lawro's prediction: 1-0

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at Goodison Park

Goodison Road looks like the aftermath of a music festival, as fans file into their seats after another raucous welcome for their team.

There are dozens of smoke flare cannisters on the floor, fans' faces are covered in blue and the after-effects have even permeated the media room which has given the room a slight haze.

Everton fans will just hope they can celebrate later on and look forward to a future which is less nerve-shredding than this remarkable, and occasionally tortuous season.

Burnley caretaker boss Mike Jackson says Wout Weghorst is still adjusting to the Premier League and has backed the striker to find his form.

The Netherlands international, 29, has scored twice and made three assists in his 18 appearances since joining the Clarets in January.

Jackson said: "I am not disappointed in him at all. He is new to the Premier League. I think he is still finding his way, as with a lot of players.

"He has high standards and probably beats himself up too much. He has made a really good contribution - all right, the goals haven't come, but he is working on it and he will find a way out of it.

"He knows it's a team game and it's about being all-in. He is going to get the opportunities [on Thursday at Aston Villa and Sunday at home to Newcastle]."

Jackson emphasised the importance of the team sticking together and not focusing on individuals.

He said: "Vyds [Matej Vydra] has come in today on a set of crutches. Ashley Westwood is there. Everybody in the whole place is trying to do their bit.

"For them to see their mate coming in, hobbling around - everyone is all-in on it. That’s a big strength."

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley

Ben Livingstone, TalkBfc, external

Nathan Collins, for £12m, looks an astute piece of business as he continues to shine, having just turned 21.

With Leeds getting a point and Everton falling to Brentford, there is still hope going into the final two games – Aston Villa and Newcastle – that we can salvage the season.

It was only a few weeks ago we thought the season was a write-off, so to take it to the last day is a great achievement in itself. Ultimately, whatever happens will happen.

I still have optimism we can survive - it's in our hands. A win at Villa would be huge as it would mean Leeds HAVE to win on the final day away at Brentford.

Image source, Getty Images

Villa comfortably beat Burnley 3-1 less than two weeks ago at Turf Moor.

"I don't think that will affect tonight - you have to bury these results quickly," ex-Everton midielder Don Hutchison told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"But Villa have got something to play for. Their players are certainly playing for their positions at the club.

"Steven Gerrard will want to finish the season with momentum and take a feel-good factor into next season."

Philip: Lampard's Team Talk: Let's give Palace a goal or two lead and make it really exciting!

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace should use the prestige of a top-half finish and a club record Premier League points tally as their motivation for the final two games of the season, says boss Patrick Vieira.

The Eagles are 13th going into Thursday's trip to Everton, but know victories there and at home to Manchester United on the final day would virtually guarantee at least 10th place.

Two wins would also take Palace to 51 points, surpassing their previous highest tally of 49 for a 38-game top-flight season, achieved in 2018-19.

"It is a challenge and there is a possibility to go over the 49 points, that can be a target for us," Vieira said.

"When you get to the end of the season you are in a comfortable zone. The challenge for us is to keep competing until the last game.

"I was really pleased with the attitude against Aston Villa - we competed well and we fought well, and we played good football at times. That made me happy."

Palace could already be assured of a top-half spot had they turned a couple of a joint-division-high 15 draws into wins.

"We are where we are. We have had this number of draws as we have conceded too late and didn’t do enough to win the games," Vieira added.

Alex Pewter, Five Year Plan podcast, external

Sunday's fixture against Aston Villa was another opportunity for Patrick Vieira to display his five-at-the-back formation, first used in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

At the heart of his system change is Cheikhou Kouyate, the lone midfielder who can seamlessly switch to defence, giving the head coach the option to switch his formation either in-game or in specific matches while using the same players.

Of Palace's two defensive midfielders, Kouyate has adapted to life under Vieira far better than his counterpart Luka Milivojevic, who is set for his lowest playing minutes since joining the club.

Kouyate isn't showing signs of age either, both visually and statistically. The higher pressing style has allowed the 32-year-old to be more aggressive further up the pitch. That's reflected in the numbers, as he only trails Conor Gallagher by two in combined tackles and interceptions in midfield, despite playing 788 fewer minutes.

The club will need to add a younger player into the defensive midfield mix, as rumoured interest in Cheick Doucoure of Lens suggests, while working hard to secure Kouyate beyond the 2021-22 season.

Whether Vieira opts to use a 5-3-2 formation more regularly next season, or continues with his trusty 4-3-3, Kouyate remains pivotal to both.

Image source, Getty Images

• Everton have only lost one of their past 14 Premier League games against Crystal Palace (W6 D7), though it did come in the reverse fixture in December this season.
• In what is the 22nd different league campaign in which they’ve met, Crystal Palace are looking to complete the double over Everton for the first time.
• Patrick Vieira's side have beaten Everton twice this season, once in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup. As a top-flight side, the Eagles have only twice before beaten a side three teams in the same campaign – Charlton Athletic in 1989-90, and Stoke City in 2015-16.
• Frank Lampard and Patrick Vieira faced each other 13 times as players in the Premier League, with Vieira winning nine of those meetings (D3 L1).

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

When Chelsea signed Romelu Lukaku I thought they would be title challengers, I thought they would be right up there with Liverpool and Manchester City.

It hasn’t worked out, they are going to have no trophy this season which is a big disappointment.

Matt Jarvis
Former Wolves & Norwich winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Chelsea’s top scorer this season is Mason Mount with 11 goals.

That is not good enough for a side that is looking to challenge for the Premier League.

You need to have the players who are scoring goals – that was supposed to be Romelu Lukaku.

It’s just not happened for them this season.

Ian Kennedy
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

Everton fans may find it difficult to think of the positives right now. They had a chance on Sunday to secure their Premier League status but couldn’t take the opportunity.

They will also look to another contentious decision that didn’t go their way – Richarlison denied a penalty at one end, and seconds later Jarrad Branthwaite is sent off at the other. This seems to be what happens when you are down near the bottom of the table.

But this is no time to dwell on such things. They’ve gone, in the past, and the only thing Everton can do now is get set for Thursday and think of the future, because the future is still in Everton’s hands. Beating Crystal Palace will require a top performance, but with the home supporters sure to play a huge part yet again, the Blues have another big chance at Goodison to breathe with ease once more.

It’s a chance they must take this time, otherwise it’s Arsenal away on the final day – not ideal when you might need something.

Michael Keane could be fit for Thursday, which is just as well given Branthwaite’s suspension. Dominic Calvert-Lewin got a full game under his belt and with the slightest of touches even got a goal.

These are the things that can turn a half empty glass into a half full one. Easier said than done but it’s about staying calm and staying confident because the escape route remains open to Frank Lampard’s men.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at Goodison Park

It's an absolutely glorious evening on Merseyside, perfect for an evening pint outside a pub, shooting the breeze.

Instead, about 35,000 Evertonians will put themselves through the emotional ringer for the last time at Goodison Park this season, bringing to a close what one fan described to me as a "horrendous" campaign.

As supporters trudge across Stanley Park with the smell of the smoke flares drifting in the wind, they don't look confident, but have been the biggest asset to the team, which has as many red cards under Frank Lampard as it does Premier League wins.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

Villa are 14th but could yet end the season in the top half.

Boss Steven Gerrard said: “We want to send our supporters away happy and satisfied. They’ve been incredible since I walked in the door. We won’t see them for some time so it’s important that we send them away in the right place.

“We know where we are, we know what we need to do and we know where these players need support. We’re working tirelessly to improve the squad to make sure we’re more competitive next year.”

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa will be out for up to 16 weeks with a knee injury.

He was injured against Crystal Palace last Sunday.

“If you are going to sustain an injury as a player, it’s not the worst time in the world – even though there’s never a good time – because he won’t miss much football," said boss Steven Gerrard.

The Premier League returns on 5 August, just over 11 weeks away.

Image source, PA Media

Everton are clearly determined to make a stand this evening, underlining that the club remains against all types of hate.

The club are assisting police after two Brentford players said their families were racially abused at Goodison Park in the last home game.

Striker Ivan Toney and full-back Rico Henry made the allegations after the Bees' 3-2 victory.

It came hours after two Burnley fans were arrested for "discriminatory gestures" during Tottenham's 1-0 win.

Anti-racism charity Kick It Out say the incidents show that "hate is alive and well within football". A knee will again be taken by players and coaching staff before kick-off tonight. But the fight goes on.