As Premier League football returns this weekend, a high-stakes showdown awaits at Craven Cottage. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Fulham and Everton will face off in a clash that is far more significant than a typical mid-table fixture.
With both clubs deadlocked on 34 points in the standings, Fulham in 9th and Everton in 10th, the match represents a direct opportunity for either side to gain a crucial upper hand in the race for a top-half finish.
Coming into the game with identical points but divergent recent fortunes, the tactical battle between Marco Silva and David Moyes is set to be a compelling watch for any football fan.
Head-to-head
When examining the history between these two sides, a clear pattern emerges.
Everton has traditionally held the upper hand. Looking at all competitions since 2001, Everton has won 21 of the 42 total matches, while Fulham has secured 13 victories, with 8 games ending in a draw.
This dominance is reflected in the goal difference, with Everton scoring 63 times to Fulham’s 42.
The story is particularly striking when focusing on Premier League meetings at Craven Cottage. Everton has been a formidable opponent for Fulham on their home turf, with the Toffees losing just once in their last nine league visits.
This historical psychological advantage could play a role, especially if the game remains tight in the the latter stages. Recent history also favors Everton, who won the reverse fixture earlier this season 2-0.
Team news
The availability of players will significantly influence Saturday’s contest, with both managers grappling with important injuries.
Fulham will be without several key figures. Midfielder Saša Lukić is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while striker Rodrigo Muniz and young attacker Oscar Bobb are also unavailable.
Their absence puts more creative and scoring responsibility on the shoulders of players like Harry Wilson and Raúl Jiménez.
For Everton, the blow is arguably more severe. Manager David Moyes has confirmed that influential winger Jack Grealish, who provided two goals and six assists in 20 league matches this season, is likely out for the rest of the campaign with a foot injury requiring surgery.
This robs Everton of a major creative spark. Additionally, first-choice defender Vitaliy Mykolenko is injured.
There is some positive news for the Toffees, however. Key players are returning to fitness. Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and defender Jarrad Branthwaite are back in training, while Charly Alcaraz is also close to a return.
Furthermore, the squad has been boosted by the return of Africa Cup of Nations-winning duo Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye.
Predicted lineups
Based on current team news and recent selections, the starting elevens are expected to look something like this:
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Jiménez.
This setup allows Fulham to leverage their attacking full-backs and creative midfield trio to support striker Raúl Jiménez.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, McNeil; Barry.
With Grealish absent, Everton will likely rely on a solid defensive base and look to counter-attack, using the industry of Ndiaye and the returning Dewsbury-Hall to support the attack.
Match prediction and betting insights
This match presents a classic conflict of styles: Fulham’s productive home attack against Everton’s resilient away defense.
Fulham has won three consecutive home games and are strong at Craven Cottage, having secured 7 wins in 12 league matches there this season.
They’ve also scored at least twice in their last four home fixtures.
Everton, conversely, has built its success on being hard to beat, especially on the road. They have lost only four away games all season.
A defining trend is their low-scoring away matches; their last 10 away games in all competitions have featured under 2.5 goals.
Given these dynamics, the most likely outcome appears to be a tight, tense affair. A 1-1 draw is a compelling prediction, reflecting both teams’ current parity in the table and Everton’s defensive resilience countering Fulham’s home advantage.
For those considering betting insights, a “Fulham Double Chance” (Fulham win or draw) is seen as a safer option given their home form.
The trend also strongly suggests looking at “Under 2.5 Total Goals,” a market that has been successful in Everton’s recent travels.
Ultimately, this is more than just three points at stake. It’s a chance for one team to definitively pull ahead in the mid-table pack and build momentum for the final stretch of the season.
Expect a fiercely contested battle where moments of individual quality, rather than free-flowing football, will likely decide the outcome.