Mark Schwarzer
Former Fulham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

The challenge when it comes to the FA Cup for teams like Everton is that they have bigger fish to fry.

Their season is all about survival, all about staying in the Premier League. They have of course already been docked ten points.

They have made a remarkable turnaround since then, but losing their last three league games leaves them in a precarious position above the relegation zone.

100% their priority will have to be staying in the Premier League this season.

Everton

Everton boss Sean Dyche on facing Crystal Palace: "They got the result after a tough run of games. [They have] a very wise manager and I'm not sure if they will make changes.

"Cup situations often offer changes to the side and the feel of the game. We have to make sure we are ready."

On a potential FA Cup run: "The Premier League is number one, but my respect to the FA Cup is clear.

"We were trying to put out a team to win the Carabao Cup and will put out a team with a mentality that wants to win."

Image source, BBC Sport

"It's the one regret I have," says Stephen Clemence, manager of Gillingham and son of legendary Liverpool, Tottenham and England goalkeeper Ray.

"Having watched me play in the Premier League, dad wanted to see me become a manager. I always said to him 'I'll do it when the time is right'."

On 1 November, Gillingham announced Stephen as head coach, the 45-year-old's first role as a boss.

Ray, who won five league titles and three European Cups with Liverpool between 1967 and 1981, had died three years earlier at the age of 72 with prostate cancer.

On Saturday, Gillingham will attempt to cause one of the biggest upsets of the weekend when the League Two club host Sheffield United, bottom of the Premier League, in the FA Cup.

Read more from Stephen on the loss of 'superstar' dad Ray.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson on Everton: "They will be organised. They will be disciplined and hard-working.

"They will know exactly what their jobs are on the field. They will know what they need to do to stop us playing and cause us problems.

"I am describing what a good manager and coach will try to produce, and I am talking about a good manager and coach in Sean Dyche.

"He has got good players and it's a very tough game."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Make sure to tune into live commentary of this evening's FA Cup clash from Selhurst Park on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Jonathan Pearce and former Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will be on hand to talk you through the action from 20:00 GMT.

The link for this programme is at the top of this live page.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Fulham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I think speculation about your future is part and parcel of becoming a manager. When you go through tough periods there will always be speculation.

It is not nice to see and to hear but Roy Hodgson is more than experienced enough now to know how it all operates, and yes maybe he might be a bit disappointed. But he could also be sat there thinking, 'Look, it's part of the job and I just have to get on with it.'

Image source, Reuters

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson thinks his squad is "more than good enough" to survive in the Premier League so will not be holding back in the FA Cup in order to preserve their status.

Palace recorded a much-needed win over Brentford on Saturday to lift some pressure on Hodgson, who dismissed speculation he may be replaced by Steve Cooper as "disrespectful".

"There have been times when I have been here when I've been more concerned with the staying in the league factor," said Hodgson.

"I don't have to worry about that balancing act as much as I have done at certain times in the past.

"It would be nice to have a cup run and it would be nice to do well. We’re certainly going to have a go at it. To win it? It would be lovely, of course it would be."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, BBC Sport

Mike Richards, Unholy Trinity

2023 was a year of both struggle and adversity for Everton because of the decisions and mistakes of others, with fans bearing the brunt of the suffering.

Manager Sean Dyche has navigated everything that has been thrown at him with incredible dignity and resolve. He's turned a team devoid of confidence and structure into a competitive outfit, with clear signs of progress.

The question now is: what will 2024 bring?

The battle against the 10-point deduction continues, with the appeal set to be heard during the early part of the year.

The hope is common sense prevails and we see those points reinstated. The reality is it will be a miracle if we see a handful of them returned.

With a potential takeover still to be completed, and the prospective buyers not exactly top of our Christmas list, it appears this year will be another one of uncertainty.

It’s difficult to look beyond that, but the move to Bramley Moore provides hope for the not too distant future. Not before the emotional long Goodison goodbye, however.

We all love goals. Here's the best of them from the last round!

Conor Coady
Former England and current Leicester City defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

The FA Cup is amazing. It is something that has the power to turn your season around. A cup run can excite supporters, unite a squad, unite the football club.

First and foremost the players will be looking to start well, but to then go on and have an exciting run in the competition, because that is the impact it can have if you get to the latter stages, without a doubt.

Mark Schwarzer
Former Fulham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

The FA Cup is huge, the oldest trophy, the longest running competition on the planet, well known throughout the world, and the most prestigious one in my opinion.

If you are Crystal Palace you have to go for it. A good bunch of talented young players, league safety is not certain for them but shouldn't be too much of a concern.

So a cup run could prove very magical for them.

Image source, BBC Sport

The FA Cup third round kicks off tonight and we've got a few days' worth of games to look forward to in the competition.

You can watch some of the matches live on BBC TV, a few with BBC Radio 5 Live commentary, as well as coverage of every fixture online.

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa is our first BBC One game on Saturday, while Arsenal v Liverpool is on the same channel on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

Roy Hodgson says it's "important" Crystal Palace keep hold of their best players if they want to progress.

There is reported interest from Manchester United in Michael Olise.

"I left in 2021 and when I came back I found a very, very good team," said Hodgson.

"The club has brought good players in, and they've brought those good players in to do better.

"Wanting to keep people and being able to are two different things. I hope, of course, the club won't have those dilemmas to deal with."

Image source, BBC Sport

Two changes for Crystal Palace from the side that beat Brentford 3-1 on 30 December.

Nineteen-year-old Brazilian forward Matheus Franca makes his first start for the club, with Jeffrey Schlupp also coming in.

Jordan Ayew is unavailable after being named in Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations squad and Michael Olise is out with a hamstring injury.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Mitchell, Guehi, Andersen, Clyne, Schlupp, Eze, Richards, Lerma, Franca, Mateta.

Subs: Matthews, Tomkins, Adaramola, Ebiowei, Hughes, Ahamada, Riedewald, Ozoh, Edouard.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sean Dyche makes three changes from the Everton 11 that began the 3-0 loss at Wolves. Joao Virginia replaces Jordan Pickford in goal, with Seamus Coleman and Arnaut Danjuma coming in for Michael Keane and Nathan Patterson.

Everton XI: Virginia, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Coleman, Danjuma, McNeil, Onana, Garner, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Pickford, Godfrey, Patterson, Keane, Gomes, Hunt, Beto, Chermiti, Dobbin.

Luke Edwards
Daily Telegraph writer on the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Olise is going to be one of the most coveted and wanted players in the Premier League at the moment.

I would be surprised if he leaves this month. It is perhaps one of the worst kept secrets in football that when he signed his new four-year deal in the summer, there is supposed to be a release clause. That clause comes active in the summer not this month.

I think the rumours around him at the moment are probably a starting gun for what is likely to be a three, four or even five way fight for his signature.

Image source, Getty Images

One player missing for Palace is Michael Olise.

He picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Brentford last week.

"Injuries haven't changed that much in terms of the ones who have been out for a period of time" said manager Roy Hodgson.

"Michael Olise had to come off right at the end as he felt his hamstring with the last sprint he made.

"We have to nurse him through and hope he comes back as quickly as possible. The next question will be how long is he out, but I can’t answer that one.

"We’re hoping this one won’t be as bad as the one that put him out for six months. We don’t think and hope it won’t be like that."

Team news has just dropped. We'll bring you it all in full shortly but Sean Dyche has gone with a strong side.

The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana all start for Everton.

Palace are also fairly strong. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi all start.

Image source, BBC Sport

Everton edged a thriller 3-2 when they went to Selhurst Park in November and I think their tie with Crystal Palace will be just as close.

I think Toffees boss Sean Dyche will put out a strong team after three straight defeats and it is a blow for Palace that Michael Olise is out of this game.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1 (Everton to win at home in the replay, on penalties)

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It's amazing how we question a slump.

Everton have played fantastically recently and could have easily got something against Tottenham in the league, they just missed out on penalties in the League Cup against Fulham, they beat Burnley away, so they have had one bad game which was against Wolves. One bad game is more than palatable to take.

They're a fighting team, have showed great character and I expect them to get results again soon. Anything could happen in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace, so really it's just the one bad result they have had after such a long period.

I think both sides would like to win, progress in the cup, get into a final, but I think both sides won't say it is everything.

It could help the clubs a little financially getting further forwards in the competition, but Premier League form is key and Everton need to be bang on that.

They will be fine in the league, I feel, despite their position. They beat Chelsea, beat Newcastle, beat Burnley, then had the close cup exit and just missed out on something against Spurs, the next one after that was Manchester City who you have to take out of the equation. They've had one bad performance in a run of eight so I think they will be OK.