Chelsea vs Everton: Match Preview, Team News and Predictions

After a scintilating round of European fixtures, Chelsea fans are back to dreading another bogey fixture as they welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge in their bid to qualify for next season's European competitions. Just when we thought Pochettino's side had turned the tide in their favour to qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League, they went on to do what they do best and mess it up. The West London side struggled and dropped points at Bramall Lane after getting pegged back twice to 2-2. But Everton are a side on the up after their much needed win in the race for survival against Burnley and salvaging a draw at St. James' Park before that.

Pre-Match Analysis:

Coming from a high after the Manchester United result, the Blues fell back on ground after a dismal performance against bottom of the league team Sheffield United. Playing at Bramall Lane, Thiago Silva gave the visitor's the lead just after 11 minutes as the veteran was left unmarked inside the box and slotted the corner in the back of the net. The West London side were in cruise control but soon the momentum swung in United's favour and they got the goal they deserved when Gustavo Hamer unlocked Chelsea’s defence with an inch-perfect pass to Bogle, who beat Djordje Petrovic from a tight angle. The Blades remained a threat after the break, but struggled to find their finishing touch as they were made to rue those chances when Madueke skipped inside from the right wing and unleashed a powerful shot that flew beyond Ivo Grbic. But with Grbic having denied Cole Palmer, the Blades’ pressure finally told deep into stoppage time – McBurnie keeping himself onside from Cameron Archer’s flick-on and coolly poking beyond Djordje Petrovic to snatch a deserved share of the spoils.

As for Everton, they have started to change the tide and came out winners against 10-man Burnley at Goodison Park. Everton’s breakthrough arrived in remarkable fashion in the closing seconds of first-half stoppage time – Calvert-Lewin closing down Muric’s clearance and diverting the ball over Burnley’s goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Burnley’s task was made all the harder when O’Shea received his marching orders for a desperate, high lunge on Dwight McNeil.

This victory took Dyche's side up to 15th but recent points deduction for breaching the PSR rules means the Toffee's are just two points above the relegation zone with a game in hand. And who better to play than a dismal Chelsea side who have struggled against the Merseyside team in the past. Even though the Blues have won double the games head to head, their struggles were clearly on display against this resilient Everton side last time these teams met at Goodison Park. The home side came out deserving winners against a wasteful CFC side who were caught twice on the counter and the game ended 2-0. With a lot riding on the line for both the teams, this game will lean towards the side who will show resiliance and character when under pressure.

Team News:

Chelsea will be hoping for a series of positive news on their lengthy injury list ahead of Everton's trip to Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer was taken off during the draw against Sheffield United after a hefty tackle which scared a lot of CFC fans but Mauricio Pochettino confirmed post-match that he had picked up a knock in the Manchester United match but his substitution was instead due to being “little bit more tired than normal”. As for Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell, both who missed the last game are expected to be back in the squad. Levi Colwill has been out due to a toe injury, is expected to make a comeback for the FA Cup semi final againt Manchester City. The likes of Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana and Lesley Ugochukwu are set to completely miss out.

But fresh injury news has emerged. Late decisions will be taken on Axel Disasi and Enzo Fernandez; Raheem Sterling won't feature due to illness.

The Merseysiders are a team which have been blessed with very minor injuries to their team as compared to thier upcoming opponents and are expecting to have majority of their first team players avaliable for the clash. Only players missing out on a trip to Stamford Bridge will be the former Spurs man Delle Alli, Villareal loanee Arnaut Danjuma and academy graduate Lewis Dobbin.

Prediction:

With the recent points deduction for the Toffees, they will be more motivated to recover those points and who better to play than a team who struggle against the bottom half teams? This game will play out the same way it was going at Goodison Park earlier this season; majority of the possession with Chelsea who will be struggling to take their chances and Everton will play on the counter attack, hoping to capitalize on lose passes. The clash at Stamford Bridge will be decided on fine margins and the team who will do the basics right will take all three points. It is difficult to see the Blues keeping a clean sheet and if the Merseyside team score first, they will defend for their life. Also to keep in mind, for the past few seasons this Everton team start showing up at the latter end of the season when it comes to surviving the drop and it feels that they will take all the three points, proving Pochettino's side to be the real Robin Hood for bottom half teams.

Forecast: Chelsea 0-2 Everton