Everton ended an unwelcome ten-month spell with out an away win final weekend in registering a cushty victory over newly-promoted Ipswich City. Coincidentally, the Blues final took all three factors on enemy turf in opposition to one other newcomer to the Premier League, in Sean Dyche’s previous aspect, Burnley — then helmed by Vincent Kompany.
The Toffees are at present having fun with a run of 4 league video games with out defeat, which has steadied the ship after a poor begin to the marketing campaign. They’ll be hoping to proceed this within the afternoon’s late kickoff, once they welcome Fulham to Goodison Park.
Kind
Former Everton boss Marco Silva guided the Cottagers to a Thirteenth-placed end final time period — a slight dip on tenth within the earlier season. There was some mitigation to this, because the membership had undergone a summer season of turbulence, shedding star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and at one stage, even Silva himself seemed to be heading for the exit.
Final summer season was rather more steady, and Fulham backed their man out there, to the tune of a web €22.8m. They launched into some churn within the squad, with regulars corresponding to Willian, Tim Ream, Tosin Adarabioyo and Bobby De Cordova-Reid all departing on free transfers, however vital funds arriving, with defensive midfielder João Palhinha finally finishing his transfer to Bayern Munich (€51.0m) and €21.8m being recouped from Birmingham Metropolis for younger striker Jay Stansfield.
The West Londoners signed six new gamers, however Silva has been cautious to not disrupt the established staff an excessive amount of and has built-in them slowly. Solely attacking midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe (Arsenal, €31.8m) and Crystal Palace central defender Joachim Andersen (€29.5m) have but compelled their method into the beginning lineup, with midfielder Sander Berge (€23.6, from Burnley) and Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson (mortgage) to date contributing primarily from the substitute’s bench.
Fulham commenced the brand new marketing campaign by shedding late on in opposition to Manchester United, however rebounded with victory over Leicester Metropolis, solely to be held subsequent day trip by one other promoted aspect, in Ipswich. They had been the higher staff in opposition to West Ham United, however did not safe the victory. Two good wins adopted — at Craven Cottage over Newcastle United, after which on the highway at Nottingham Forest. They arrive at Goodison off two defeats, firstly in a 3-2 thriller in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, on the Etihad Stadium after which final weekend, once they succumbed to Aston Villa, having seen Andersen despatched off simply after the hour mark.
They occupy tenth spot within the desk coming into the weekend’s fixtures, three factors forward of Everton.
Model of Play
Silva is dedicated to his system of play and has caught once more with the 4-2-3-1 formation which he favoured final time period, although he did use the same 4-3-3 in opposition to the Tractor Boys and switched to a 5-4-1 at Metropolis a couple of weeks in the past. It’s to be anticipated that he’ll arrange in his most popular formation this night, nonetheless.
His method hasn’t modified an excessive amount of since his days in Liverpool, which is to prioritize offensive play and a build-up based mostly on brief passing. He discovered some harsh classes throughout these darkish days at Everton nonetheless, and his Fulham aspect are usually not really easy to play in opposition to because the Blues had been again then.
They’re in the course of the division as regards share of possession (49.3%) and move completion (84.5%). Solely 9.9% of their passes go lengthy, Fulham are a fairly cross-heavy aspect although, trying 22 per match, which ranks third within the league. The Cottagers favour a balanced assault, whereas Everton are closely skewed to the fitting aspect. They generate 14.4 pictures per 90 minutes, though their xG (Anticipated Objectives) metric of 12.6 exceeds the quantity they’ve truly scored (eleven). All of their objectives have been from open play, except for one penalty.
Defensively, at this time’s guests have been fairly strong, solely allowing a median of 13.4 efforts on their web per 90, which ranks ninth within the division. They’ve conceded eleven instances, from an xGA (Anticipated Objectives Allowed) of 9.8, so they’re underperforming the numbers barely each in assault and defence. A vulnerability which is able to absolutely be examined at this time is in opposition to set-pieces, with 4 of the objectives they’ve shipped coming from dead-ball conditions.
Participant Evaluation
Bernd Leno is an skilled goalkeeper, has confirmed to be a shrewd signing and is certainly one of a lot of former Arsenal gamers dropped at the membership. He’s not on nice kind at present nonetheless, having been crushed eleven instances from a PSxG (Publish-Shot Anticipated Objectives) of 8.6, which is kind of an under-performance. Over the previous yr, his shot-stopping falls within the backside 18th-percentile amongst gamers working within the main European leagues.
Raul Jimenez is present process a late-career resurgence. The 33-year-old bagged a brace in opposition to Luton City, to log off final season, and has scored 4 already this time period. At his greatest, a number of years in the past, he was an entire striker, one combining a bodily presence, clever motion, scientific ending and first rate tempo and he’s again at that degree at present.
One other ex-Wolves man taking part in effectively is Adama Traore. The highly effective and speedy proper winger is trying 5.8 dribbles, with a 52.5% success price and is carrying the ball into the opposition space 2.17 instances per 90.
Offering creativity for the guests will likely be ex-Blue Alex Iwobi and one-time United fringe participant Andreas Pereira. The previous is producing a team-high 4.00 SCA (Shot-Creating Actions) per 90 from open play, whereas the latter leads the squad with an SCA of 6.05, with greater than half that whole coming from set-piece performs.
Resolution
The lack of Andersen to suspension, following the Dane receiving a straight crimson card on the Etihad, will damage the guests at this time. He’s the Londoners’ most dominant aerial defender and would seemingly have matched up effectively with Everton’s goal man striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, along with stiffening up the aspect when defending corners and free kicks, which has been a vulnerability all season.
It’s a no brainer for the hosts to focus on this weak spot, notably in Andersen’s absence. To do that, the Blues might want to get our bodies a lot larger up the pitch than was the case in opposition to Newcastle, of their final house match, once they registered no corners in any respect. I’d anticipate Everton to need to get our bodies into the Fulham field throughout common play additionally, to supply targets for crossing alternatives.
As for the house aspect’s seemingly beginning eleven, Dyche will need to keep continuity the place attainable and I’d assume the one adjustments to be at centre half, with Jarrad Branthwaite in for Michael Keane — presumably together with proper again. Ashley Younger has carried out effectively in latest outings, at each full again berths, however with Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson each obtainable, it’s up within the air who the supervisor will desire. Saying that, I can’t see the Scot being chosen over both veteran.
Fulham are a really first rate Premier League outfit and one which has crushed Everton every time at Goodison since Silva’s arrival. Dyche has did not get any wins over the Londoners since being put in on Merseyside, will need to put that bleak run to an finish and to proceed to construct up some momentum heading in direction of what figures to be a demanding December. The instruments are in place for the Blues to definitely keep away from defeat, however they actually ought to be aiming larger at house in opposition to this degree of opposition.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Fulham
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