Paul Merson has now predicted the result between Everton and Fulham this afternoon.
The Toffees welcome Marco Silva’s side to Goodison Park as another season of top-flight football gets underway at Everton’s famous stadium.
Indeed, new signing Ashley Young is likely to make his competitive debut for Sean Dyche, while loan signing Arnaut Danjuma, who was absent for last week’s friendly against Sporting CP, may feature.
However, it is sure to be a testing game for the Toffees, a sentiment shared by Paul Merson who believes it will be a ‘difficult game for both teams’.
Writing for his column on Sportskeeda, the pundit predicts the game to end with the points shared in a 1-1 draw, though admits Everton ‘can’t afford to lose’.
Merson states: “This is a difficult game for both teams. I’m worried for Everton. Their results towards the end of last season were a massive concern. Their home form is poor, and they were falling behind last year in big football matches.
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Fulham have a situation on their hands with Aleksandar Mitrovic If you take away his goals last season, Fulham wouldn’t have been where they were.
Everton don’t open anyone up, and they can’t afford to lose this weekend. This will be a cagey game, and I think it’ll end in a draw.”
Everton v Fulham looks set to be a cagey affair with injuries for both sides
Fulham comfortably beat Everton 3-1 during last season’s fixture at Goodison Park and no doubt Sean Dyche will want to avoid a repeat of such a display this time around.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was the subject of a rejected £25.5m bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, could be key for Fulham, but Everton fans will hope that his mind will be elsewhere.
Indeed, as Merson states, Everton’s home form was poor last season, picking up just six wins at Goodison Park, so the Toffees will want to start the 2023/24 campaign with a win in front of the fans.