Fulham have entertained Everton at Craven Cottage six times since 2001 prior to their lunch time kick-off on Saturday, five times in the Premiership and once in the FA Cup. On each occasions, the sw London side have come out on top, with the Toffees only managing to score in two of the half-dozen matches in question.
 
Generally speaking, it was their away form that had been letting Everton down, but so far this season David Moyes' men have been playing a good deal better on their travels, and they've actually lost just one of their six fixtures on rival soil in all competitions during the current campaign.
 
The Goodison Park outfit went ahead early against an in-form Arsenal side at the Emirates last time through an 11th-minute Tim Cahill goal, a lead they maintained until the 71st-minute when the Gunners equalised. Tactically, Moyes got the approach spot on, and the performance underlined how cohesive the current box of Toffees are.
 
For their part, the Cottagers aren't doing at all badly. They are four points adrift of sixth-placed Everton in ninth place in the Premiership going into Saturday's fixture, and are playing well. But for some momentary lapses - like the one which saw them concede late on in their game against Wigan in their latest match and against Watford on October 2 - they would be ahead of Everton in the current pecking order.
 
Fulham have been given a boost on the attacking front following Claus Jensen's solid performance against Wigan last weekend. The midfielder seems to be well and truly back to form following a ten-month layoff, while Luis Boa Morte, although unlikely to be in the starting XI on Saturday, appears to be on the mend after four weeks on the sidelines following a fractured cheekbone.
 
The outcome of this match, however, will depend on how both teams get off the blocks. Everton, who are on a three-match unbeaten run, have been starting their games brightly and 11 of their 21 goals scored so far in all competitions have been gained before the interval of the matches in question. Conversely, only three of Fulham's 12 goals scored have been gained during the first 45 minutes.
 
In essence, if Everton grab an early goal, the home side could be in trouble because, as the Merseyside club demonstrated against Arsenal, they are extremely hard to penetrate when defending deep against rivals. Indeed, Richard Wright has been beaten just four times in all five away matches played by Everton in the Premiership since the start of the season.
 
Australian international Tim Cahill has been in fine fettle for those in Blue, netting seven goals since August 23, while Andy Johnson's recent dry patch has barely been noticed since strike partners James Beattie and James McFadden have both been gradually fitting into their shooting boots. The return to action of Portugese defender Nuno Valente has helped shore things up at the back and, with the likes of Arteta and Osman looking strong in the middle of the park, Everton have a solid all round look about them at present.
 
Taking everything into consideration - and despite their failure to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage since 1966 - I reckon that the odds compilers of most bookies have got this one right in making Everton marginal favourites - I can envisage the away side narrowly prevailing in what should be a decent game. Given their propensity to strike early, it's worth chancing Everton/Everton in the double result market at 9/2 with Stan James. This represents good value since Bet Direct go just 11/4 about the same bet.
 
Verdict: 2pts Everton/Everton in the double result market @ 9/2 (Stan James)