Following a round of League Cup fixtures in mid-week, all eyes turn back to the Premier League on the weekend. There are several games to look forward to on Saturday with one of the most intriguing coming at Goodison Park between Everton and Fulham.
The Toffees will be desperate to get a win in this game. Marco Silva brought in many players over the summer and they need to start delivering the goods. Fulham have been exciting to watch but can they combine entertainment and winning football?
Everton come into this game having failed to win any of their last four Premier League matches. The only win they have produced in their last five games has come at home against Rotherham in the League Cup.
Having defeated Southampton 2-1 at home, Everton have been held at Bournemouth and at home against Huddersfield Town. Following the draw with Huddersfield, Everton lost 3-1 at home against West Ham United, which was a poor result and 2-0 at Arsenal.
Silva is coming under increasing pressure and a defeat in this game will see his future come under question. However, trends show Everton enjoy playing Fulham at home and have defeated them in each of their last fourteen matches at Goodison Park in all competitions.
Both teams have scored in nine of Everton’s last twelve home matches in all competitions.
Fulham, like their hosts, have won only one Premier League game this season. The win came in their third game of the season at home to Burnley, who were struggling at the time. Having won promotion from the Championship via the playoffs, Fulham began the season with defeats against Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.
Having defeated Burnley, Fulham could not build on that result and have since drawn at Brighton, lost at Manchester City and been held at home by Watford.
The last time Fulham were in the Premier League, which was the 2013/14 season, they struggled away from home. Including games from that season and this campaign, Fulham have won only one of their last thirteen away matches.
Trends show both teams have scored in four of Fulham’s last five Premier League games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Everton are still without James McCarthy, Phil Jagielka and Andre Gomes. Yerry Mina and Seamus Coleman are working their way back to fitness but remain doubtful.
Fulham are without Neeskens Kebano who has an ankle injury while Tom Cairney remains a doubt with a foot injury. Jean Seri, Ryan Sessegnon, Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic should all start the game.
Everton will see this as the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways in the Premier League. They are yet to show any signs of consistency but Fulham have a poor record away from home in the top-flight. Fulham are dangerous in attack and could score but expect to see Everton take maximum points.