Everton are in their best form of the season and are on the verge of a top seven finish. The Toffees head to Craven Cottage on Saturday looking to continue their charge up the table.
Manager Marco Silva has watched his side win three straight games. Everton are showing the form many fans and pundits expected when Silva took over the club. Their excellent play is a sign of what could come next term.
However, Everton still have a real chance of Europa League qualification. They will need to finish seventh while Manchester City must win the FA Cup. It could happen and reward the Toffees despite their hot and cold start to the season.
Fulham have already been relegated. The Cottagers have had a woeful time on their return to the Premier League. Fulham have looked nothing like the team that won the Championship playoffs last spring.
They have tallied just 30 goals while conceding 76. Fulham’s finish to the top-flight campaign shows the gulf in class between the Premier League and Championship. It also shows the club’s decision to bring in a number of expensive transfers last summer did not pay off.
One player that is expected to head for the exit at Craven Cottage is top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic. The striker has tallied 10 goals in 32 games, but his attitude has seen him clash with Fulham coaches.
Mitrovic is rumoured to be on his way to the Chinese Super League at the end of the season.
Everton defeated Fulham in their previous meeting this term, 3-0. Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice as the Toffees ran riot at Goodison Park. While Everton’s form has improved in their last three matches, their performances away from home have been so-so.
The Toffees have collected just 18 of their 46 points on their travels. They have won three of their last five away fixtures laying a foundation for next season.
Meanwhile, Fulham have lost four straight home matches while scoring a mere two goals during that time span.
Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin will undergo a late fitness test to see if he can participate in the fixture. Centre-back Michael Keane is suffering from an illness this week, but could be fit. Meanwhile, Yerri Mina continues to be out with a hamstring injury.
Fulham’s Floyd Ayite will undergo a late fitness test after returning to training this week. Defender Alfie Mawson is nearing a return, but will probably sit this match out with an eye on next weekend.
Everton’s resurgence has come at the right time. They are picking up points and moving up the table. The Toffees will secure another victory at the weekend as the teams combine for 2.5 goals once more this season.