Premier League: Can Fulham Convince Mitrovic to Stay With Opening Win Against Everton?

Everton vs Fulham

Fulham start their 2023-24 Premier League campaign with a trip to Goodison Park, where they’ll take on Everton this Saturday.

In their second consecutive year back in the English top-flight, Fulham are aiming to build on their 10^th-place finish last season, with the best-case scenario being a return to European football.

Everton, meanwhile, escaped relegation last term with a last-day victory over Bournemouth, and they’re looking to make amends for the poor domestic campaign.

Both teams were busy this summer because they dealt with transfers while playing a handful of club friendlies. The Toffees, surprisingly, come into this match in superb form, while not so much for the Cottagers.

So, who will draw first blood on the first matchday? Read more below for the SBOTOP preview of this game.

Talking Points

Everton’s lineup misfortunes

Last season, Everton were the lowest-scoring team with only 34 goals, and it didn’t help that they conceded 57 goals on the other end.

So to avoid being in the relegation scrap this upcoming season, Everton must be better in the final third, and head coach Sean Dyche will have to make a decision on who will start up front against Fulham.

It’s unfortunate that they’re already dealing with injuries, as Dwight McNeil, Dele Alli, and even team captain Seamus Coleman aren’t available this weekend. McNeil, in particular, is a huge loss since he was their top scorer last term with seven goals.

Demarai Gray, the second-leading scorer behind McNeil last season with six goals, is not listed in the squad because he was put up for sale this summer. Ironically, he has reportedly agreed personal terms to leave for Fulham.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, on the other hand, has been dogged by injuries and is not yet 100-per cent fit.

With all of them unavailable, this opens the door for the likes of Arnaut Danjuma and Neal Maupay to start up front this Saturday.

But Maupay only had one goal from 27 appearances last season, which says a lot, so the logical choice is Arnaut Danjuma, who joined the Toffees on loan from Villarreal.

Danjuma was loaned to Tottenham last season but only scored twice in 11 appearances. He should get his opportunities to create Premier League 2023 highlights here on Merseyside.

Mitrovic might play amid transfer stand-off

Fulham are determined to keep hold of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been the subject of interest from Al-Hilal in the transfer window. Last month, the Serbian striker reportedly told his family and friends that he would “never play for Fulham again” after having his Saudi move blocked.

Right now, he is still a Fulham player, and he played 23 minutes in their 2-1 club friendly win against Hoffenheim last weekend. In his cameo, there were a handful of boos, but there were cheers too.

Marco Silva insists that he will look to maximise his time left with Mitrovic, especially if Al-Hilal improve their offer to Fulham. Given that they’ve worked well in the past, Mitrovic is likely to start up front, with summer signing Raul Jimenez also an option.

History

Everton have lost each of their last two home Premier League games against Fulham, including a 3-1 result last April, after winning their first 14 home Premier League games between 2002 and 2018.

Fulham have won three of their last five Premier League matches against Everton (D1, L1), which is as many as they had in their previous 18 games against them (D2, L13). They are aiming to beat the Toffees in two consecutive league meetings for the first time since 2005.

Saturday marks the third opening league game in which Everton and Fulham face off. Everton won their previous two openers: a 3-0 result in 1963-64 and a 1-0 result in 1966-67.

Everton have only lost one opening game in their last 11 Premier League campaigns (W4, D6), with the defeat coming against Chelsea last season.

The Toffees are also undefeated this pre-season with four wins and one draw, albeit against weaker competition, while the Cottagers have won two and lost two this summer.

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2023 odds predict a tight contest between these two sides. Because they’re playing at home, Everton were given the slight edge at 2.25, whereas Fulham are priced at 2.89 in the 1X2 market.

But despite the difference in their recent forms, we’re inclined to go for a draw at 3.25. That is because Everton and Fulham are evenly matched, and both are dealing with some uncertainty lineup-wise.

 

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