Fulham manager Martin Jol is expecting a typically tough encounter when he takes his side to Everton on Friday night.
The Cottagers travel to the north-west to face David Moyes' men in a fourth-round FA Cup tie at Goodison Park and, while the Toffees have struggled for form recently, former Tottenham manager Jol believes they have just been unlucky and expects a tough match.
"I feel that although Everton miss quite a few players they have had decent results in different ways," he said. "Of course if you play Everton it is always a difficult game because they always play to win."
He added: "They have got a system with offensive midfield players. They play with a lot of crosses with English ingredients so we are well prepared.
"I hope we can push on in the FA Cup. It would be fantastic because we are out of the Europa League and Carling Cup. It would be nice to progress to the next round."
Several former Everton players could make an appearance, including Andrew Johnson, Simon Davies and Philippe Senderos.
The latter has established himself as a regular starter in central defence this season alongside Brede Hangeland. Some fans have questioned Jol's decision to break up Hangeland's established partnership with Aaron Hughes, although the Fulham boss responded defensively when asked about it.
"Maybe you have a preference for other players but I don't," Jol said. "I think Philippe did very well and of course he made a mistake, maybe two, but others did too.
"I felt after the Europa League there was not a necessity to rotate so I made a decision to play him at the back with Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland and John Arne Riise.
"I am not someone that will change it all the time but that doesn't mean Aaron Hughes, who is one of the fittest and did very well for us, that he is a substitute. He isn't. He is a big part of my squad. Next week, for example, we have two matches in four days so there is a possibly for one or two players to come in."
Source: PA
