Chelsea can, if only briefly, climb to the top of the Premier League table with a win at Everton on Sunday.
The Blues once again took advantage of Liverpool’s dropped points last weekend won 2-1 bogey Bradford at Stamford Bridge. Another potential banana skin follows, with the Toffees enjoying their share of success against the Blues in recent years, especially on Merseyside.
The west London club are unbeaten since October with their deficit to the league leaders just two points. They wrapped up the Conference League Championship stage on Thursday night with a 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers as Enzo Maresca once again used the fringes of his mammoth side.
Everton fans have had the sweet relief of not having to watch their team too much this month, and Goodison is sure to be buzzing on Sunday given the news surrounding Friedkins’ takeover.
Sean Dyche’s side beat Wolves 4-0 last time out at home to hold on Arsenal in a goalless stalemate at the Emirates last weekend. It’s up to the 16th.
Behold 90 minutes guide for Chelseathe upcoming Premier League match.
Everton – Chelsea H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Everton |
Chelsea |
|---|---|
|
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 14/12/24 |
Chelsea 5-1 Shamrock Rovers – 19/12/24 |
|
Everton 4-0 Wolves – 24/12/04 |
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford – 15/12/25 |
|
Man Utd 4-0 Everton – 01/12/24 |
Astana 1-3 Chelsea – 12/12/24 |
|
Everton 0-0 Brentford – 23/11/24 |
Tottenham 3-4 Chelsea – 24/12/08 |
|
West Ham 0-0 Everton – 24/09/11 |
Southampton 1-5 Chelsea – 24/12/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
N/A – live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada |
Dwight McNeil has been a key cog for the Toffees since joining the club and has been impressive again this season. However, the midfielder missed last week’s draw at Arsenal through injury and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for Chelsea’s visit – Sean Dyche told his press conference that it is “touch and go” if he features.
Everton are certainly without striker Armando Brocha, who cannot face his former club on Sunday, while James Garner is suffering from a muscle injury and could miss out again. Youssef Chermiti and Tim Iroegbunam are both on the sidelines.
Everton predicted line-up against Chelsea (4-4-1-1): Pickford? Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Mangala, Ndiaye; Doucoure? Calvert-Lewin.
Marc Cucurella started on Thursday with Maresca knowing the Spaniard is ruled out for Sunday’s race. Renato Vega, who started at centre-back against Shamrock Rovers, is likely to fill in at left-back at Goodison Park.
Benoit Badiashile was set for a row in the team after Wesley Fofana’s latest injury, but the left-footed defender has himself picked up a problem that could include Tosin Adarabioyo in Sunday’s line-up alongside Levi Colwill.
Reece James and Carney Chukwuemeka are out, while Mykhailo Mudryk is out for the foreseeable having failed a drug test in the week.
Chelsea predicted line-up against Everton (4-2-3-1): Sánchez? Caicedo, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Sancho? Jackson.
It’s hard to imagine either side slowing Chelsea’s momentum, but Goodison Park hasn’t been a particularly happy hunt for the Blues until recently.
And with the side in hot spirits following the departure of Farhad Moshiri, Sunday looks set to be a tough test for Maresca’s side – even if they are well rested.
Dyche’s side are physical and compact and are sure to use a similar blue print from last weekend’s draw at the Emirates. The hosts are ready to surrender ground and aim to hit Chelsea on the break as well as from set-pieces, and they may well do enough to tame the Blues on Sunday.
