Chelsea vs. Everton predictions: A week of victories over Merseyside

Chelsea face the blue side of Merseyside at Stamford Bridge, and after their heroics on Tuesday they should be able to at least secure a result against Carlo Ancelotti.

Home is not where the points have been for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea this season, but with Carlo Ancelotti having his homecoming these Blues should be able to channel the best of Lampard and strengthen their hold on the top four.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: Chelsea 2 – 1 Everton. Chelsea needs to step up their game from this point if they’re going to be in the top four come the end of the season. This means they need to beat Everton on home soil.

The Blues have made sure that home advantage is not what it used to be, having secured more points on the road than at Stamford Bridge. Injuries mean Frank Lampard does not have a long list of available options to send to the pitch. Whoever plays needs to be at the top of their game to beat Carlo Ancelotti’s blue and white army.

Varun Dani: 2 – 0. Chelsea just beat the better Merseyside team, so what’s stopping them from beating the other? All hail King Carlo, and then put in a fine performance he would be proud of.

Barrett Rouen: 2 – 1. There’s a massive part of me that feels this goes 2-2, but no matter what, I don’t think Chelsea keep a clean sheet here. No chance. Dominic Calvert-Lewin to win a header against the Blues’ poor defense to give proof that nothing has changed in that area. Somehow, though, Lampard’s men luck into a win.

Nate Hofmann: 2 – 2. You can have your choice of two Merseyside-related takes headed into this match.  There’s the Liverpool version, where Chelsea put together one of their best performances of the season last time out, knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup with an injury-riddled side led by an 18-year-old Scotsman.  Or there’s the Everton one, where Chelsea got blasted by a Duncan Ferguson-led Toffees side back in December, kicking off their slow and steady rise back to competing for European places.

Sprinkle in the Carlo Ancelotti – Frank Lampard narrative and Chelsea’s ever-growing injury list, and this is a match full of intrigue.

Unfortunately, a tired Chelsea squad limping into a big match with nothing but half-fit squad players won’t do much to turn that intrigue into a statement victory, but the good vibes from the Liverpool match could be enough to at least preserve a sloppy draw.  Just pray Manchester City gives Manchester United a whooping later in the day.

Abhishek Pancholi: 3 – 1. It won’t be pretty, but the three points will make watching it worth the effort.

Kevin Peacock: 2 – 0. Everton fall into the “raise their game when they play Chelsea” category, so this game will be tough. With Frank Lampard’s team stock-piling injuries, those that play will have to be on their mettle. Billy Gilmour bossed the midfield against Liverpool in the FA Cup, and with Jorginho suspended for this one, has a chance to impress further.

Results yesterday have once again given Chelsea a chance to extend the gap between the teams chasing Champions League football next season, let’s see if they can take it. Highlight of the game: the return of Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge.

Tan Yi Hao: 2 – 2. Frank Lampard’s Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton are actually very similar in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. Both are undeniably talented going forward, yet remain somewhat fragile at the back. More importantly, as much as Chelsea could look forward to having the home crowd for support, the Blues’ massive injury list could mean a chance for Everton to get away with something come full-time.

Vansh Ambashta: 2 – 0. Chelsea are back to winning ways and discovered a new gem in Billy Gilmour. The Scotsman should start as the Blues look for momentum in the last phase of the season.

Pedro to score in the first half. Ruben Loftus-Cheek to score from a substitute appearance. And and and, Kepa Arrizabalaga to keep a clean sheet.

Scott Brant: 1- 1. Just too many injuries to keep Everton off the board. Plus the Toffees are quite good under Carlo Ancelotti. The Blues manage to score but can’t keep them from doing so. A bit of a snoozer, but a point for each. Olivier Giroud to score.