Everton v Fulham preview
Toffees hold strong home record over West Londoners
Last Updated: January 27, 2012 10:53am
Clint Dempsey: Seeking his third hat-trick this month on Merseyside
In-form Fulham striker Clint Dempsey will be seeking his third hat-trick this month when the Cottagers travel to Everton in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night.
The USA international's two trebles, one of which came as Martin Jol's men knocked out Charlton in the last round, have helped fire Fulham to three wins in their last four games in all competitions.
Jol will be hoping Demsey's hot form can inspire the Cottagers to break their Goodison Park hoodoo, with the Toffees having won their last 18 straight home league games against the Londoners.
But Fulham have had more luck against the Merseysiders in cup action, having drawn them four times and knocked them out on each occasion, three times after a replay.
The two teams are evenly matched in the Premier League so far this season, with both sitting in the bottom half of the table with 26 points.
Davies Moyes' men will be keen to arrest a winless streak on home turf against the Cottagers, having failed to secure three points in their last four league encounters.
Team news
Everton defender Tony Hibbert is available for the showdown after recovering from a groin injury.
Manager Moyes will consider whether to recall the long-serving full-back and reshuffle his back line or stick with Shane Duffy in the continued absence of Sylvain Distin (hamstring) and Phil Jagielka (knee).
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov drops out from the last squad with a move to Spartak Moscow imminent while Seamus Coleman (thigh), Leon Osman (knee) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) are still missing.
Fulham will again be without Mousa Dembele when they travel to Merseyside.
The Belgium international missed last week's defeat of Newcastle with a hip injury and dropped out of training on Thursday, meaning he will not make the trip to Goodison Park.
Fellow attacker Orlando Sa (hamstring) is also out and is joined on the sidelines by Mark Schwarzer (spine) and Zdenek Grygera (knee). Steve Sidwell is available despite coming off injured against Newcastle.
