Everton and Fulham prepare to clash at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, with both sides aiming to regain momentum as they navigate the early stages of the Premier League campaign. Everton will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches, while Fulham hope to bounce back after recent setbacks. This encounter marks their first meeting since their goalless stalemate at Craven Cottage in January.
Everton: Turning a Corner Under Sean Dyche
Everton endured a tough start to the 2024-25 season, suffering four consecutive defeats and conceding 12 goals in the process. However, Sean Dyche’s side has recently shown signs of improvement, collecting eight points from their last four league fixtures. This resurgence includes a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United before the international break and a solid 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town in their latest outing.
The win at Portman Road saw Everton deliver a disciplined performance, with Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane scoring first-half goals to secure the three points. Dyche praised his team for their strong showing, particularly highlighting their defensive efforts. The Toffees have now kept two successive clean sheets and prevented Ipswich from registering a shot on target until the closing stages of the match.
Currently sitting 16th in the Premier League table and five points clear of the relegation zone, Everton have a chance to consolidate their mid-table position with a win against Fulham. October has historically been a favorable month for the club, with Everton averaging 1.55 points per game during this period in recent seasons. This is a marked improvement compared to the 0.75 points per game they typically earn in the opening months of August and September.
Defensively, Everton have been particularly solid in October, keeping six clean sheets in their last seven league matches during this month. However, despite their recent upturn in form, their home record against Fulham has been a cause for concern. Everton have lost each of their last three league encounters against the Cottagers at Goodison Park, a significant downturn given that they had previously enjoyed a 27-game unbeaten streak in home fixtures against Fulham stretching from 1949 to 2018.
Fulham’s Form and Recent Struggles
Fulham entered October riding high after a five-game unbeaten run that had seen them pick up 11 points. However, their momentum has since faltered following back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Aston Villa.
In their visit to the Etihad Stadium, Fulham gave a good account of themselves but ultimately lost 3-2 to the reigning champions. Their most recent outing was a frustrating 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa, where Raul Jimenez’s early goal was overturned by strikes from Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, followed by an unfortunate own goal from Issa Diop. This defeat was compounded by the dismissal of Joachim Andersen, leaving Fulham with ten men in the closing stages.
Despite these setbacks, Fulham sit 10th in the table and remain only three points adrift of the top six, indicating their strong start to the season. Manager Marco Silva is now preparing his side for a challenging encounter at Goodison Park, a venue with sentimental value for him, having previously spent 19 months in charge of Everton.
Fulham’s recent record against the Toffees will provide them with some encouragement. They have avoided defeat in five of their last six meetings, winning three of those encounters. Notably, all of those victories came at Goodison Park, underlining their recent success in what was once a difficult venue for them. In fact, the Cottagers have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches against Everton, demonstrating their ability to frustrate the Merseyside club.
Tactical Insights and Key Battles
Everton’s resurgence under Dyche has been built on defensive solidity and efficiency in front of goal. Michael Keane’s return to form at the back has provided much-needed stability, while the contributions of new signings like Ndiaye have added dynamism in attack. The Toffees will aim to control the tempo and impose their physical style on the game, with players like Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucouré expected to play key roles in midfield.
Fulham, on the other hand, will be eager to rediscover the form that saw them enjoy a strong start to the season. They have shown a knack for starting games quickly, having scored first in each of their last five Premier League fixtures. However, they will need to address their recent habit of surrendering leads, as only six teams in Premier League history have lost three consecutive matches after scoring the opening goal.
Raul Jimenez will be a key figure for Fulham in attack, hoping to build on his goal against Aston Villa. He will be supported by the creative influence of Andreas Pereira, who has been pivotal in linking midfield and attack. At the back, Fulham will need to improve their defensive organization, particularly with Andersen suspended for this match following his red card against Villa.
Predicted Lineups
Everton (4-4-2):
Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Young; McNeil, Onana, Garner, Harrison; Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye
Dyche is expected to stick with a 4-4-2 formation, with Jordan Pickford continuing in goal. James Tarkowski and Michael Keane will anchor the defense, while Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison provide width in midfield. Dominic Calvert-Lewin could partner Ndiaye up front as Everton look to capitalize on Fulham’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Fulham (4-2-3-1):
Leno; Tete, Bassey, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha, Lukic; Wilson, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
Marco Silva may opt for a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Bernd Leno starting between the posts. Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson will operate as full-backs, while Joao Palhinha provides defensive cover in midfield. Jimenez will lead the line, supported by a trio of creative players, including Andreas Pereira and veteran winger Willian.
Match Prediction
This match promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to bounce back from inconsistent starts to the season. Everton will be buoyed by their recent performances and home advantage, while Fulham’s recent success at Goodison Park gives them reason to be optimistic.
The battle in midfield could prove decisive, with Everton looking to disrupt Fulham’s rhythm and capitalize on any defensive lapses. However, the visitors possess the firepower to trouble the Toffees, especially if they can replicate their fast starts from recent matches.
Given the current form of both teams, a draw seems like a plausible outcome. Everton’s improved defense under Dyche could be enough to stifle Fulham’s attack, while the visitors have shown they are capable of grinding out results on the road. A 1-1 draw appears to be the most likely result, with both sides taking a point from this intriguing encounter.
This fixture presents an opportunity for Everton to continue their upward trajectory, while Fulham will be determined to halt their recent slump. With both teams aiming to strike the right balance between defense and attack, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining contest at Goodison Park.
