Paul Merson has made his prediction for Everton's trip to Fulham and admitted Saturday's clash is a 'hard game to call'.
The Toffees go to Craven Cottage on Sunday evening looking to build on last weekend's outstanding 3-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace. Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened his account for the season after a tough 12 months with various injuries, before second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and then Dwight McNeil - both capping off excellent moves - rounded off a brilliant day at Goodison Park.
Away form remains somewhat of a problem for Frank Lampard's side, however - they have only won once on their travels this season - and a trip to Craven Cottage is no easy task. Fulham, led by former Blues boss Marco Silva, have lost at home just once so far and come into the weekend on the back of consecutive wins against Aston Villa and Leeds United.
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The Cottagers have come into this Premier League season a completely different side from the one that slumped to just five wins and relegation during the 2020/2021 campaign. Aleksandar Mitrovic, who managed just three goals that year, has been excellent, while summer signings Andreas Pereira, Willian and Joao Palhinha have been hugely impressive.
It makes Saturday's trip to the capital a tough one challenge for Everton, but one they will relish nevertheless. And former Arsenal midfielder Merson has admitted he is unable to separate the two in-form sides, backing a 1-1 draw.
"Fulham have been absolutely outstanding so far," Merson wrote in his SportsKeeda column. "They've come up from the Championship and they've already won half the points they need to stay in the Premier League.
"People have said that Mitrovic can't score goals in the Premier League, and he's proving them wrong. He couldn't score because he was working on scraps. Fulham are playing good football now, and Mitrovic is doing well for himself.
"I watched Everton last week - it's the best I've seen them play in a long time. They looked like the Everton of old - hard to beat, and in your face. This is a hard game to call. Fulham started their Premier League season better, but Everton are catching up now."
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