Fulham vs. Everton
Venue: Craven Cottage
Kick off: 1PM
Everton face Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon looking to end their run of three successive defeats in the Premier League.
Despite having only recorded one win in eight matches this season, Fulham currently remain outside of the relegation zone by a point.
While Everton still remain in seventh position in the table, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be far from happy with how his side have performed in recent weeks.
Defeats to Southampton, Newcastle United and Manchester United have come in the absence of Richarlison, who has been serving a three-match ban for his dismissal against Liverpool.
Their subsequent results suggested that the Toffees have become too reliant on the Brazilian’s partnership with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, leaving Ancelotti with plenty of questions to answer going forward.
As well as their issues in attack, Everton have also conceded seven goals in their last three outings, leaving the club with unresolved issues at the back.
Everton have little chance of breaking into the top six unless they solve their problems at both ends of the pitch, but Ancelotti knows that winning by any means necessary is most important this weekend.
Despite 10 places separating the two clubs, the Merseyside outfit have conceded just one goal fewer than their hosts, who have been showing signs of progress.
Ademola Lookman’s abysmal effort from the penalty spot against West Ham United overshadowed the fact that Fulham had come within minutes of recording a second clean sheet in succession, only for Tomas Soucek to break their resolve in the 91st minute.
Although Scott Parker remains under pressure after a sixth setback in eight matches, there is every indication that the Cottagers are playing for the Englishman ahead of a crucial period of the season.
Trips to Leicester City and Manchester City will follow today’s encounter, meaning that Fulham can ill-afford to miss out on adding to their points tally.
As well as requiring a positive response from Lookman, Parker also needs Aleksandar Mitrovic to end a goalless streak which has lasted since September 19.
Fulham possible XI: Areola, Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Anguissa, Reed, Cordova-Reid, Cairney, Lookman, Mitrovic.
Everton possible XI: Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Digne, Doucoure, Allan, Gomes, Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
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