please log in to view this image Fulham v Everton Craven Cottage (Capacity: 27, 500) Saturday 3rd November 15:00 Uk time Everton's last five games: Leeds United 2-1 Everton League Cup (Distin) Everton 3-1 Southampton (Osman, Jelavic x2) Wigan 2-2 Everton (Jelavic, Baines Pen) QPR 1-1 Everton (Cesar OG) Everton 2-2 Liverpool (Osman, Naismith) Position: 5th - 16 points Fulham's last five games: Wigan 1-2 Fulham (Rodellega, Duff) Fulham 1-2 Manchester City (Petric Pen) Southampton 2-2 Fulham (Hooiveld OG, Richardson) Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa (Baird) Reading 3-3 Fulham (Ruiz, Baird, Berbatov) Position: 7th - 14 points Preview By the time this game comes around it will be exactly five weeks from when the blues last tasted victory. On Saturday, we travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, who are not a side to be dismissed in what could be a high scoring entertaining affair in West London given both teams early promise to the season. This will mark the 57th meeting between the two sides since the football league began. Fulham Fulham are one of the select sides who have had a positive start to the season picking up 14 points and currently sitting in 7th place in the league table with only Manchester United and Chelsea having scored more goals. A top eight finish is definitely not out of the question for Fulham this season who have added quality to their ranks with the signing of Dimitar Berbatov which has contributed to the attacking style that Fulham have developed starting this season. Not only Berbatov, but others such as Petric and Duff have also contributed 3 goals each. So far the creative spark has come from Ruiz who has 4 assist and a goal in just six games so far this season. Fulham's problems lie in the defence which has saw them concede 15 goals which puts them 14th in the league of most goals conceded. Another problem related to this is the timing of conceded goals as they have conceded 5 goals in their last five games after the 85th minute which in total has cost them 6 points against Manchester City, Southampton and Reading, a fixture where they lost the lead twice late on to draw 3-3. Everton The last outing saw a 2-2 draw against loving neighbours Liverpool which has left mixed feelings on the blue half of Merseyside. This being arguably our best team since 1985 and Liverpool's worst for a long time means perhaps more was expected. Not helped by incompetent refereeing which saw both sides hard done at the weekend. Though the derby did have some positives, Naismith opened his account for Everton and Kevin Mirallas showed just how good a player we have on our hands, though the best thing to come out of this is the memory I will always have of Steven Gerrard celebrating what he thought was the winner following Luis Suarez's wrongly disallowed goal. Everton were the better team and controlled most of the match with 56% possession and making more passes than a side who have been praised for their passing. One concern though is the mere 55% tackle success rate that Everton came away with. The point at the weekend meant that Everton have acquired the same amount of points at home and away (8/12 in home games and 8/15 in away games) which is no mean feat considering if we kept that rate up we would finish the season approximately 70 points which would surely be enough for fourth place. Everton no doubt face harder fixtures from now though with Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and City all to play twice and a trip to Old Trafford still to come. A few positives for Everton though will be that Gibson and Hibbert should be back available for selection as will Pienaar who sees the end of his one match suspension. As mentioned before this will be the 57th match between the sides when Everton travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday. please log in to view this image Injury concerns http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php Everton Kevin Mirallas - Knock - Unknown Darron Gibson - Thigh muscle strain - 3rd November Fulham Chris Baird - Ankle/Foot injury - Unknown Dimitar Berbatov - Rib injury - Unknown Simon Davies - Hip/Thigh injury - January 13 Coyb!
noticed one or two blues kicking about here so thought I'd put this up and I know there's a few Fulham fans here too. Going to be a tough game for sure, I hope we can win because we haven't won for over a month but I can see another draw. 2-2
Always a tough fixture, but we've had a couple of results there of late, in Ruiz & Berbatov they've got a potent strike force, so we'll have to be solid at the back to come away with anything.
Yeah, don't think they've beat us in about 3 years now since we broke the 'home team wins' curse. Hopefully everyone is back fit as Mirallas' injury ain't too bad. I'd go for: ---------------Howard----------------- -Coleman--Jagielka--Distin--Baines-- ------------Gibson---Osman----------- --Mirallas------Fellaini-------Pienaar- ----------------Jelavic-----------------
I can't see Gibson starting mate, bench at best I think In fairness after his performance in the derby Neville deserves to keep his place anyway. Miralles will be touch & go after the stamp from the buck toothed, racist, horror, from across the park, so not sure he'll start either. Jelavic is due one, looked a bit short of confidence in the derby
it'll just be great to get him back, we've missed the defensive solidness he gives us over past few weeks but you're right, Neville played really well in the derby. Especially in the first half, I though he was Xavi at times! looked like it could have been a lot worse so if he is just touch and go then like Gibson there's no point in risking aggregating their injuries. if he can pick up where he left off though, well be in for a good season. Fellaini didn't play well on Sunday either which I think might have had something to do with it but 4 goals in 8 games is still a good return.
If we get a win, then we'll be right amongst the leaders at the 10 game milestone, which will be a great physcological boost for the entire club. A defeat & it'll look like a good start, but nothing startling. So it's a big game for us. I agree about Felli, he'll looked off the pace at bit on Sunday.
yeah, 19 points from 10 games would a great start. We might need to maintain something like that for champions league spots though.
2009, indeed. Likely to be a close game. I'd usually say we'd be favourites at home, but given your strong start to the season it's not that clear cut. I think the outcome has alot to do with the fitness of our key players. Berbatov, Ruiz, Duff & Diarra have all missed time this year but if they are fit to play I think we've got enough to get 3 points.
I'm expecting nothing less than a tough game. I think we have the better team but you've made a strong start yourselves. I think we've had similar problems at the back this season and strong up top so hopefully there's a few goals in this one. Do you think Berbatov will be fit after bruising(?) his ribs? I'd rather Rodellega played than Berbatov! P.s. watch Rodellega score a hat trick now
I'd like to think we can get back to winning ways after 3 draws I'm going to predict a win for us Fulham 1 Everton 2
To be honest if we hadn't drawn 3 games in a row I'd say this was a nailed on draw but we're due a win or loss soon.
Hmm. I'm not sure. I think for the first time in a LONG time we may have a team equal to yours. Out of the clubs I'd expect to at least challenge for top six this season, I'd place us and yourselves at the top of the list, with Newcastle just behind. I dare say if we had held onto both Dempsey and Dembele we would have a slightly better team, but the way it is now, I think a lot of Fulham fans are more than satisfied with the personnel on board. I really like Everton for some reason and have three of your players in my Fantasy Football team (Howard, Fellaini, Jagielka) so am expecting a very tough game. If Berbatov is fit I think we will nick it 2-1, if not then I'll go for 2-2. Could you imagine an attack consisting of Diarra, Dembele, Ruiz, Dempsey, Duff/Petric and Berbatov? Top 4 right there.
I don't mind Fulham as a club, but their support is gash. The away following for a PL side is an embarrassment, I actually counted them one year. It's hardly a surprise that your away from has been so poor historically, given the minibus backing them. We got a bit lucky at your place last season, so here's hoping it carries on this. Good luck after Saturday
and you think refereeing is bad now... [video=youtube;W1yAKezSKVU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=W1yAKezSKVU[/video]
Was just thinking that there's been a few players who have played for both sides, for example... Saha Radzinski Pembridge McBride (I loved McBride) Senderos Can you think of others?
