Fulham v Everton predictions: Expect goals at Craven Cottage

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Fulham v Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
2pts 10-11 bet365

Team news

Fulham
Loanee Daniel James is available after missing last week's 3-2 win against parent club Leeds. The match is likely to come too early for Kenny Tete.

Everton
Full-back Nathan Patterson is set to return after an ankle injury, but Ben Godfrey, Andros Townsend and Yerry Mina are still out.

Match preview

The congested Premier League table means teams can catapult themselves up the standings with just a few good results, and that is exactly what has happened at Fulham.

Despite taking the Championship by storm last season, finding themselves seventh at this stage is something beyond the hopes of even their most optimistic followers, but seven points from their last three games has left Marco Silva's side in fine fettle.

There will now be an expectation that the Cottagers can claim another three against Silva's former club Everton on Saturday and their excellent form points towards an entertaining clash.

Spearheaded by talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has risen to the challenge of a higher level following 42 goals in the second tier last term, Fulham's season has been characterised by a front-foot approach, particularly at home.

They set their stall out in their season opener when they took the game to Liverpool and gained a deserved 2-2 draw. And their sole home defeat this term was a 4-1 loss to Newcastle when they were reduced to ten men after just eight minutes and Mitrovic was injured before half-time.

Each of their six home matches have featured at least three goals and there is a decent chance that we will see a similar story this weekend.

Everton have failed to score in recent away defeats to Tottenham - when they were sunk by a Harry Kane penalty and a late Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg strike - and Newcastle. But the re-introduction of England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a huge boost for the Toffees, who can play their part at the Cottage.

Calvert-Lewin has had a limited impact due to injury since he scored 16 goals in the 2020-21 season and what is perhaps key, even more than his personal tally, is that he is able to bring others into the game and give Everton's attack a more cohesive look to it.

There have been times over the last couple of seasons that the Toffees attack has lacked a focal point, but Calvert-Lewin is now back to fulfil that role and good things could be around the corner judged by their 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace last week.

Calvert-Lewin scored early on in that game and they are a stronger team with him in it.

Everton have won just once on the road this season but they scored in their first four away matches of the campaign.

A positive attitude looks likely after their win over the Eagles, and that bodes well for a few goals.

Key stat

All but one of Fulham's 12 Premier League games this season, and all of their six home matches, have featured at least three goals

Inside info

Fulham

Penalty taker Aleksandar Mitrovic
Assist ace Neeskens Kebano
Set-piece aerial threat Aleksandar Mitrovic
Card magnet Joao Palhinha

Everton

Penalty taker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Assist ace Alex Iwobi
Set-piece aerial threat James Tarkowski
Card magnet Anthony Gordon

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