Chelsea vs. Everton: Odds and line aren’t bothered by Blues’ injuries

Chelsea have a depleted squad to face Everton today, but the odds don’t think it will have too much effect on the Blues getting a result.

Chelsea vs. Everton sees the return of an ex-manager to Stamford Bridge, one who is loved by Blues fans all around. Carlo Ancelotti plans to take Everton to a Champions League spot before he retires. And that’s no small feat considering how Everton as a club seem to work against their managers and spend money in silly fashion.

But it’s fair to say if there is one man who could make this happen, who better than Carlo Ancelotti?

Before he can accomplish what he came to do, he will have to first get past a former player turned colleague of his: Frank Lampard. The Toffees travel to Stamford Bridge eight points behind the Blues, and with both teams having similar Premier League opponents remaining, it would take a near perfect finish for Everton to trouble anyone fighting for top four this season.

Chelsea have a serious injury crisis. Frank Lampard’s lineups a bit difficult to predict this season, but that’s not the case against Everton. With Mateo Kovacic definitely out, Jorginho suspended and Willian doubtful, Billy Gilmour may be getting back-to-back starts. And that’s actually a positive, but there’s still no Tammy Abraham. Olivier Giroud has been doing well enough in Abraham’s absence, but it’s unrealistic to expect Giroud to produce at the rate Abraham was.

Willian’s and Kovacic’s absences are big hits as well, especially Kovacic’s. The Croatian has been carrying the midfield for weeks, and even when N’Golo Kante wasn’t hurt, Kovacic was producing a lot off the offensive counters.

The odds don’t reflect any of this on The Action Network, though, with the Blues at -106.

It is hard to predict a Chelsea win with such a depleted squad. With that being said, I expect those who step up to play in place of their injured teammates will give their all and the Blues will take something from the contest.

Carlo Ancelotti is tactically sound and he is likely to attack or focus on a perceived “weak link” in the starting lineup. If he watched Billy Gilmour at midweek, he won’t perceive him to be the weakness.

The odds for Everton to win (+306) are higher than the draw (+273), and I am always in favor of that.

I like Chelsea to draw with Everton, a match they would likely win if full strength. But the Blues will undoubtedly be happy with the 1-1 draw given the injury circumstances.