PREM: Everton v Fulham preview

Everton v Fulham preview

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has said his players must "be brave" if they are to end the club's abysmal losing streak at Goodison Park.

Fulham can leapfrog their opponents with a win on Saturday, but the west Londoners have never recorded a league victory on the blue half of Merseyside, losing each of their last 21 visits.

Jokanovic expects another difficult afternoon but has urged his players to show courage against a side who have failed to win either of their last two home matches.

He said: "They are a good team. We are talking about a top six and if you add Everton, you are thinking about top seven.

"It's really complicated away from home, like the Etihad or Wembley. They are strong and experienced and we know it will be problematic there. Our job is to find a solution, push hard and fight for the victory.

"We are in a similar position to Everton and other Premier League teams, and we consider Saturday to be the next chance for us to be brave and I hope we can make this step.

"It's not my first trip, many years ago I played in this place. It's a fantastic place to play football. It's a complicated and tough opponent. We will arrive there with motivation and intention to fight for three points."

Goals can be expected at Goodison on Saturday. Despite the blank at Arsenal last time out, Everton have scored in ten of their past 11 Premier League games and conceded in each of their past eight.

The Toffees have won all 13 of their home Premier League matches against Fulham, but the Cottagers have an in-form striker in Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season alongside Eden Hazard.

Silva confirmed that Yerry Mina has suffered a setback after being on the receiving end of an accidental stamp from team-mate Bernard in training.

Both Mina and Seamus Coleman are expected to be back next week, but Phil Jagielka (knee) is out while Andre Gomes (hamstring) is close to making his first appearance since joining on loan from Barcelona.

Alfie Mawson faces a late fitness test before Fulham select their starting XI for Saturday's trip to Everton.

The defender is struggling with a back problem and could yet be replaced by the fit-again Tim Ream, who returned to Fulham's first team in Tuesday's 3-1 Carabao Cup victory at Millwall.

Midfielders Tom Cairney and Neeskens Kebano are expected to miss out again with ankle injuries.