Everton v Fulham - Cottagers Confidential Preview

Fulham are back on the road this Saturday, visiting Goodison Park, where they will face an Everton side with ever-distancing hopes of making the Champions League next season.

Fulham form

This tie will round off what has been a busy month for Fulham - and it all started off so well. A 3-2 win over local rivals Queens Park Rangers took us to 39 points and, in effect, safety, but only a point has been picked up in the other four games played in April. Last time out, we were unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Arsenal after a sprightly performance was hampered by the sending off of Steve Sidwell.

Everton form

The Toffees are in something of a blip too, but it's far, far less severe than the likes we are used to at Craven Cottage. Their last victory also came against QPR, but a respectable 0-0 draw at Arsenal was followed by defeat to a Paulo Di Canio-inspired Sunderland.

Head-to-head

In the home fixture this season, Steve Sidwell scored in the 90th minute to rescue Fulham a point in an entertaining game, while the tie at Goodison last year ended with a shameful 4-0 defeat.

In our history, we have won 15, drawn 11 and lost 26 of our matches with Everton.

Key quotes

Urby Emanuelson: "Everton are doing well and they're still hoping to get into Europe so it will not be an easy game," he admitted. "After two defeats we really want to get a good result but we know that they're a strong team.

"But Everton know it will not be an easy game for them, either, and that's also the case for us. I'm looking forward to it - the team is very positive because we played well against Arsenal and now it's time to get a good result again.

"I think we've played very well in our matches away from home. Of course it will not be easy, but we have good tactics and we know how to play. We know what we can expect from each other, so the team is growing. Everton are a good team now - they are in shape - but we believe we're capable of coming away with a good result."

Team news

Steve Sidwell will, yet again, be missing for the Whites thanks to suspension. Sascha Riether is doubtful while Mahamadou Diarra remains absent. Damien Duff should return, though.

For the Merseysiders, Darron Gibson and Victor Anichebe are doubtful and Phil Jagielka will be assessed before kick-off.

Cottagers Confidential line-up

Schwarzer; Riise, Hangeland, Hughes, Riether; Kacaniklic, Enoh, Karagounis, Duff; Ruiz; Berbatov

Cottagers Confidential score prediction

Everton 1-1 Fulham

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