Fulham v Everton preview
Everton aim to step closer to a UEFA Champions League place when
they visit struggling Fulham.
The Toffees are four points clear of Merseyside rivals Liverpool
and fellow Champions League challengers Bolton Wanderers, with an
extra game in
hand on those two sides.
David Moyes's club have also been buoyed by Uefa's declaration that
the rules for next season's Champions League will not be amended,
even if
Liverpool win the competition this season and finish outside the
top four.
The Cottagers are still fighting to keep their place in The
Premiership, with Chris Coleman's side sitting just five points
above the relegation zone in the table.
Fulham have not won in their last four contests, having succumbed
to a 3-1 defeat at West London rivals Chelsea last Saturday.
Coleman will give a late fitness test to striker Andy Cole, as the
former England striker looks to recover from an Achilles problem
while Papa Bouba Diop came through a reserve match without any
problems on Monday.
Sylvain Legwinski, however, remains an injury casualty with groin
and pelvis problems, with The Cottagers not expecting the Frenchman
to return until the
last match of the season against Norwich City, at the
earliest.
Moyes, meanwhile, will again be without skipper Alan Stubbs with a
shoulder injury that kept him sidelined against Manchester United
and Birmingham City.
Alessandro Pistone (hamstring) and Gary Naysmith (ankle) also
remain doubts, with Steve Watson set again to play at left
back.
Australian Tim Cahill has recovered from a virus and should be
fully fit to face The Cottagers.