English Premier
2012-04-28 - Everton vs Fulham
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 28 April 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Everton
Everton may not be playing in a FA Cup Final this season, but that doesn't mean their heads have dropped on the season as shown by a very impressive performance at Old Trafford last week. They showed tremendous heart to fight back from a two goal deficit on two occasions and eventually draw 4-4 with Manchester United, and they still have a real goal in finishing above Liverpool in the League.
The team currently hold the 7th spot in the Premier League, but a place in Europe looks beyond them. That doesn't mean David Moyes will want to relinquish the place they have as they hold a 2 point lead over Liverpool in the table. Everton are 8-3-6 at Goodison Park this season, scoring 21 goals and conceding just 14.
The draw at Manchester United last week means Everton are unbeaten in their last 6 Premier League games, picking up 14 points from the last 18 available. Their only defeat in the last 7 games in all competitions has come in the FA Cup Semi Final against Liverpool. Everton have won their last 2 League games at Goodison Park, and they are 7-1-1 in their last 9 here in all competitions.
Leighton Baines is out until early May, while Jack Rodwell is out for the season. Royston Drenthe is still suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Fulham
Martin Jol is getting the best out of his Fulham side as the first season in charge of the club winds down. They have a real chance of finishing the season on a high and a top half position and that is when the real work will begin for Jol as he looks to improve their stock for the new season.
Fulham's 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic last Saturday moved them up to 9th in the Premier League table and the battle for 7th hots up here with their opponents just 2 points ahead of them. The problem for Fulham remains playing away from Craven Cottage where they are 3-5-8 this season, scoring 11 goals and conceding 19.
The team are unbeaten in their last 4 Premier League games since losing 3 consecutive games, and they have actually won 3 of their last 4 games. Fulham have won 2 of their last 6 away games in the League, including last time out against Bolton Wanderers.
Bryan Ruiz is out for the season, but Stephen Kelly may return to the squad after suffering a hand injury. Steve Sidwell is another that is hoping to prove his fitness ahead of this game.
Head to Head
Everton have already recorded two wins over Fulham this season, winning 1-3 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League and beating them 2-1 here in the FA Cup.
Since Fulham have come up to the Premier League, these teams have met 12 times at Goodison Park- Everton have won all but one game, that being a draw in a FA Cup tie 8 years ago.
Prediction
Everton have really made a good signing in Nikica Jelavic and he gives them a real goal threat that they have lacked in the early part of the season. They played wonderfully well as a team last week at Old Trafford and fully deserved the point they earned from that game and I think there is plenty of motivation for them to finish above Liverpool.
Fulham have had a hard time playing away from home again this season and the lack of goals is a real concern. Playing at a venue where they have regularly been beaten has to be a mental barrier to overcome.
There just seems to be a little too confidence and motivation for Everton here and I think they can grab the three points in a tight encounter. The likes of Steven Pienaar and Jelavic have given David Moyes some real options going forward and I think those two will likely be heavily involved again.
Although it could be close, I have to back Everton here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Everton 2-1 Fulham
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Everton - 0.75 Asian Handicap @ 2.14
