BBC pundit Chris Sutton has now predicted who will win as Everton welcome Fulham to Goodison Park tomorrow.
The Toffees take on Marco Silva’s side in the first game of the 2023/24 Premier League season, and Chris Sutton believes the outcome is ‘hard to call’.
Indeed, the last time the Blues took on Fulham at Goodison Park, the Cottagers returned to London after a 3-1 win, however Sutton insists tomorrow’s fixture will end in a 1-1 draw.
The BBC pundit said: “This is very hard to call. Everton’s season really depends on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and his injury record isn’t great.
In the past couple of seasons, he’s never really got into his rhythm up front but they are not free scoring and he has got to carry them in that department.
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic threw his toys out of the pram when he wasn’t allowed to move to Saudi Arabia earlier in the summer but his future is still uncertain.
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Will we see a motivated Mitrovic at Goodison Park, or will we not see him at all?”
Both Everton and Fulham could be without their star strikers
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is likely to be absent for the Blues, and Fulham may also be without their Serbian target man in Aleksandar Mitrovic.
In a boost for the Blues, centre-back James Tarkowski has recovered in time to play after a knock he suffered in last week’s pre-season friendly against Sporting CP.
Everton need to get off to a good start this season and though Fulham are a very decent side, it is a winnable opening game for Sean Dyche.
Indeed, starting the season well will be key to avoiding a third straight fight for Premier League survival, and Dyche will no doubt want to bring stability back to Goodison Park.