Chelsea predictions vs. Everton: Sam Allardyce looms large over fixture

Chelsea head to Goodison Park to face an Everton side surging under Sam Allardyce. Will the Blues stop Everton’s momentum, or will a British manager once again be Antonio Conte’s undoing?

A few weeks ago Everton were set up for a relegation scrap. Sam Allardyce has them back into the top half and within shouting distance of their usual home between sixth and eight place. How will Chelsea fare against this side in transition?

Barrett Rouen: Everton 1 – 3 Chelsea. The Blues play the false nine and it again looks like a terribly effective formation, effectively sealing Batshuayi’s’ future. They cannot keep a clean sheet, though.

Abhishek Pancholi: 1 – 3.  Big Sam’s attempt to out-tactic Antonio Conte falls flat on its face, as Chelsea’s front-three run riot against a creaking Everton defence. Willian notches another goal while Eden Hazard also scores one to go with his latest man of the match award. Wayne Rooney to score a consolation goal for the hosts.

Shivansh Sareen: 1 – 2. Sigurdsson 42′, Hazard 64′, Cahill 83′.

Travis Tyler: 1 – 2. What Big Sam is doing at Everton (turning a group of individuals struggling with the basics into a cohesive unit within weeks) is exactly what he has done everywhere and why I wanted him to be the USMNT manager (still holding out hope that this Everton thing is a fling). Conte’s Chelsea will be tested greatly, but somehow will inch over the line after conceding an equalizer in the second half.

Brendan McDonnell: 3 – 1. Chelsea is currently 2-0-0 vs. the Toffees this season with both matches at the Bridge. So, not only is this their first trip to Goodison, but it will also be their first look at Big Sam’s version. Everton is on a bit of a run here (4-0-1) in their last five games and are primed to make a big statement. I’d love to say a draw, but I think Everton throws Rooney (MOTM) and the kitchen sink at Chelsea to take all three points in front of a raucous Goodison Park crowd.

George Perry: Antonio Conte will receive a stern talking to from the referee and the fourth official for pointing too vigorously during a run-of-the-mill transition from defence to offence. Conte will wonder why they treat him like this when Jurgen Klopp got away with spiking a water bottle to the ground to celebrate a goal on Friday. Conte will then receive a three-game ban for thought crime.

Ollie Miller: 3 – 1. I promise I’m not copying here – just have a bad feeling Chelsea will struggle without Alvaro Morata. Rooney will turn into peak Pele and score two. Dominic Calvert-Lewin nabs Everton’s third, while Cesc Fabregas scores a stoppage time consolation goal.

Scott Brant: 2 – 3. Chelsea have to keep finding ways to win. Paging Michy Batshuayi. The busy Christmas fixture list can make or break a team trying to stay in contention. Hopefully, the better Blues can pull out another win. Eden Hazard with a hat trick.

Kevin Peacock: 0 – 1. No Morata in the league equals Batshuayi on the bench. Despite having no recognized striker on the pitch, Chelsea burst Big Sam’s Everton bubble. It’s by no means an easy win, but a functional and workmanlike one. A rare N’golo Kante shot secures the vital three points.

Next: Chelsea must overcome their British manager hoodoo against Sam Allardyce

How do you think things will go? Make your predictions below or send them in on Twitter!

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