Everton vs. Fulham – EPL, February 14, 2021

Everton may be struggling with some high-profile injury worries at the moment, but there must be a good sense of confidence at Goodison Park.

The league and cup campaigns are going well, and the home side will probably not fear the arrival of Fulham on Sunday.

The top online soccer betting sites might have made Everton odds on favorites to win this game on Sunday, but I am a little surprised at how close the prices are. Fulham has improved as the season has gone on but is still looking like one of the relegation favorites. Even with these odds, I think there is some value for the home win.

Carlo Ancelotti will be worried about the injury picked up by Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the end of the cup game against Spurs in the week. He has been a major part of the club’s improvement this season and will be missed. It could be that Richarlison is used as a striker in his absence.

Jordan Pickford is also a doubt for Sunday’s game, but the form of Robin Olsen in his absence already this season should temper any anxiety about that. If anything, Ancelotti might be more concerned with how tired his players will be after the extra time they were forced to play in the cup game just four days before this fixture.

Fatigue might also be what Scott Parker is hoping for, as he attempts to mastermind what would be Fulham’s third win of the season. The Cottagers are eight points from safety at the moment, and he knows that every single game is crucial now – even those away at the better clubs in the league.

Fulham’s defense has gotten a little better as the year has gone on, but it is still very susceptible to set pieces. That could be a real worry against a team like Everton that possesses a number of talented ballplayers. But it is up to the other end where Fulham really needs to improve. Only Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer this season – and I’m not sure that will change this weekend.

Although there will be a few first-choice players missing for Everton on Sunday, I do think that there is still a lot more in the home squad for Fulham to handle. I expect Richarlison to shine in Calvert-Lewin’s absence – and the final score might end up making a mockery of the way this game has been priced by the bookies.