England Premier League
Saturday 12th August 2023
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Goodison Park
Match Preview:
Everton’s fans will wait with baited breath as to how this season pans out. For two consecutive seasons now the famous club have been poor and faced genuine relegation threats. They have somehow survived by the skin of their teeth and you get the feeling that if the club were to have a quiet season and finish in 14th place everyone would be happy and see that as progress. That is the margin of how this once great club have fallen but they need to steady the ship before advancing on.
However Everton have been almost inactive in the transfer market when they clearly need to improve the squad. Youssef Chermiti has come in from Sporting to bolster the attack however he looks unproven at just 19. On the other end of the scale Ashley Young has joined on a free from Aston Villa but he is double the age of Chermiti. Dele Alli is back with the club after his Turkish loan spell and even though he has been poor he has come out with his mental health issues, and perhaps this could be a new chapter for the midfielder. There has been a season long loan deal for Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma also to add choice to the midfield.
Some positive news for the Toffees is that they have remained unbeaten in their pre-season games although in fairness the majority of these matches were against lower league opposition. They did however beat Sporting 1-0 in their last friendly game before the new campaign kicks off.
Fulham had a decent campaign last season but tellingly fell off in the second half of the season, but survival was always assured and that has to be a huge positive for the club. They have been able to keep key players which at one point didn’t seem a given and in the transfer market they have concentrated on defence. In has come Chris Donnell and Calvin Bassey and in the forward line they have added Raul Jimenez from Wolves. The Cottagers went to the US for their pre-season playing three Premier League sides and beat Brentford 3-2 before losing against Chelsea and Aston Villa. Their last friendly which was at home ended in a 2-1 victory over Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
Team News:
Everton: Seamus Coleman missed the back end of last season with a knee injury and he’ll also miss the beginning of this season. Arnaut Danjuma has a knock and is only 50/50 to recover. Dele Alli is out with a hip injury. Dwight McNeil misses out with an ankle injury. James Tarkowski will be assessed following a knock.
Fulham: Tom Cairney will be assessed due to a muscle injury. Joao Paulinha remains a major doubt due to a shoulder injury and looks set to miss out.
Everton vs Fulham Head to Head:
Fulham have won three of the last five meetings.
Last season Fulham won this fixture 3-1.
Everton have not beaten Fulham for almost 3 years.
There is a 60% chance to see over 2.5 goals.
Everton vs Fulham Prediction:
There’s been a lot of criticism pointed to Everton at how the club are being run and that more quality is needed to be brought in. It is something which could sting the club later on in the season. For now though spirits seem to be high and it is encouraging to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit after a nightmare injury ravaged season. Everton have been able to record some solid wins in pre-season and even though they are only friendlies it does build confidence. There will be a lot of focus on the club and Sean Dyche this season.
Fulham used to despair coming to Goodison Park but they have won here in their last two visits. But despite Everton not being in their strongest moment and plenty of question marks about how this season will pan out we will back the team to deliver on the first weekend of the season, at home in front of a sold out home crowd.
Everton vs Fulham Betting Tips:
Everton to beat Fulham at 2.10
Anytime goalscorer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin at 2.25
Over 9+ corners at 1.91
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