Fulham v Everton: Capital One Cup match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Capital One Cup fixture at Craven Cottage

Dimitar Berbatov (GETTY IMAGES)

Fulham will hope that the return of Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz and Aaron Hughes can inspire them to their first win at Craven Cottage this season, when they face Everton in the third round of the League Cup tonight.

The London side find themselves in the relegation zone after a disappointing start to the Premier League season, and were taken to penalties by League Two outfit Burton Albion in the second round.

Holland international keeper Martin Stekelenberg remains on the sidelines after picking up a shoulder injury in Fulham’s only win of the league season at Sunderland, as does Matthew Briggs.

Their opponents Everton were also less than convincing in the second round, needing a goal in extra-time by Marouane Fellaini to squeeze past Stevenage.

Roberto Martinez will have to go without the services of Antolin Alcaraz, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar for the tie, but could give Romelu Lukaku his first start for the club after he netted the winner against West Ham on Saturday.

Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone may return from injury, as the Merseyside club look to continue an unbeaten start to the new campaign.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 8.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Everton 1 (Pienaar) Fulham 0, Premier League, April 2013

Fulham 2 (Ruiz, Sidwell) Everton 2 (Fellaini), Premier League, November 2012

Everton 4 (Jelavic 2, Fellaini, Cahill) Fulham 0, Premier League, April 2012

STATS…

Fulham haven’t recorded a win in eight meetings between the sides, stretching back to when goals from Paul Konchesky and Damien Duff overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit at Craven Cottage over four years ago.

The teams have never faced each other in the League Cup despite playing 58 times since 1926. Both needed extra time to defeat their lower league opponents in the second round, with Fulham taken to penalties by Burton Albion.

Fulham have only one league win this season which came on the opening day, and they are the joint lowest scorers in the table with only three goals.

ODDS…

Fulham to win: 3.25

Everton to win: 2.38

Draw: 3.55

TV: Highlights on BBC, Wednesday at 11.05pm