Team News
Everton vrs Fulham
Premiership Match Day 01 2324 at Goodison Park
Saturday 12th August 2023 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
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Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha sustained a shoulder injury in a pre-season win over Brentford last month, and although Silva has confirmed that he has begun ball work on the training pitch, the Portuguese is not expected to return until the end of this month.
Tom Cairney is a major doubt with a muscle problem, so his potential absence along with Palhinha's could see Sasa Lukic partner Harrison Reed in centre-midfield, with Andreas Pereira operating further forward in the number 10 role.
Despite being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, Mitrovic – who came on for the final 22 minutes in last weekend's win over Hoffenheim – could feature in some capacity on Saturday after Silva confirmed that the striker is "ready" to play and is '100% committed' to the club.
Nevertheless, summer signing Jimenez may be given the nod to start up front, while fellow new recruit Bassey is set to battle with Issa Diop for a start at centre-back alongside captain Tim Ream.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Ream, Bassey, Robinson; Reed, Lukic; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
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Everton trio Dwight McNeil (ankle), Seamus Coleman (knee) and Dele Alli (hip) are all sidelined with injuries, while Danjuma and James Tarkowski are both doubtful – the latter of whom limped off towards the end of last weekend's win over Sporting.
Injury prone Calvert-Lewin played for 45 minutes against Sporting as he continues to build up his fitness and while he is unlikely to play the full 90 versus Fulham, the striker should be able to lead the line from the off.
Vitaliy Mykolenko has also been gradually building up his fitness in pre-season after picking up an injury towards the end of last season, and he was given a 25-minute run-out last weekend. However, new recruit Young could be handed a start at left-back on Saturday.
Dyche interestingly used James Garner in a hybrid wing-back/midfield role against Sporting and the Toffees boss may consider using him in a similar role against Fulham, while it remains to be seen if Demarai Gray will feature amid links with a permanent move to none other than the Cottagers.
Everton
possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Young; Garner, Gueye, Onana, Doucoure; Iwobi; Calvert-Lewin
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Source Oliver Thomas at SportsMole