Fulham v Everton preview

Cottagers target winning return against Toffees

Last updated: 12th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fulham v Everton preview

Hodgson: Everton challenge

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 2-2

SKY BET odds: Fulham 17/10, Draw 21/10, Everton 17/10

One to Watch: John Heitinga

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Fulham will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they host Everton at Craven Cottage on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

After an unbeaten run of four games in Europe and the Premier League, the Cottagers have suffered something of a setback.

Losing their last three games, they have failed to score in defeats to Chelsea, Aston Villa and in the Uefa Cup against Amkar Perm.

Boss Roy Hodgson has been forced to make do with a depleted squad after suffering a worrying number of injury setbacks.

His side could be excused for defeat at Villa Park, in which they were without key players such as Danny Murphy, Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora after a tough European trip earlier in the week.

With two of those three now back to match fitness, no such excuses will stand against a Toffees side who have endured a mixed start to their season.

Battered by Arsenal in their opening home game, Everton then suffered defeat at the hands of top-flight new boys Burnley.

They did, however, secure their first league win last time out when hosting Wigan at Goodison Park and will be boosted by that return to form.

Team news

Murphy and Zamora are expected to return to action having missed out on the trip to Villa Park.

But striker Johnson, who has missed the Cottagers' last four games through injury, remains a doubt.

Everton look set to hand a debut into defence to Dutchman John Heitinga following his recent move from Atletico Madrid.

Mikel Arteta and defender Phil Jagielka are still sidelined with long-term injuries.

Probable starting Xls:

Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Pantsil, Murphy, Greening, Etuhu, Dempsey, Zamora, Kamara.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Osman, Neville, Rodwell, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha.

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