Chelsea travel to Goodison Park this Sunday, eyeing the top spot in the league standings. Victory would push the Blues one point clear of Liverpool before the Reds take the field later in the day. The visitors ride into this fixture on the back of eight straight wins across all competitions but must overcome Everton's robust defensive setup.
Defensive concerns mount for Blues
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confronts a challenging defensive puzzle before the crucial match. Marc Cucurella's suspension, following his red card against Brentford, compounds existing defensive woes. The absence of Wesley Fofana, Reece James, and Benoit Badiashile through injuries has forced tactical adjustments.
Malo Gusto will likely start as fullback, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill forming the central defence. Renato Veiga, who shone in recent cup games, might step in at left-back, while Moises Caicedo stands ready as backup defensive cover.
Attacking prowess shows promise
The Blues' offensive line has found its rhythm, particularly through Cole Palmer's December brilliance. The attacker has struck four goals, landed 11 shots on target, and created 12 scoring opportunities this month. Nicolas Jackson's impact continues with his ninth Premier League goal in the recent 2-1 victory over Brentford.
Joao Felix's fitness return adds depth to the attack, alongside Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto. However, Mykhaylo Mudryk's doping charge sidelines him, while Romeo Lavia's hamstring issue makes him doubtful.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Everton's home ground challenge
Sean Dyche's squad enters this match following a resolute 0-0 draw at Arsenal. The Toffees top Europe's elite leagues with six clean sheets since November 1 and maintain an unbeaten run in their last five home fixtures. However, their attack struggles persist, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin enduring an 11-game goalless streak.
Chelsea's track record at Goodison Park raises concerns, with just one win in seven previous league visits and five defeats in their last six trips. While the Blues aim to extend their best league run since Antonio Conte's 2016-17 title-winning campaign, Everton, boosted by recent takeover developments, look to maintain their strong home form.