Chelsea dey return Stamford Bridge this Saturday to face high-flying Everton for Premier League clash as dem try shake off disappointing run of form. Last time wey dem meet for April, Blues win 1-0 courtesy Nicolas Jackson goal.
Match Preview
Since dem beat Barcelona 3-0 for Champions League and hold Arsenal 1-1 with 10 men, Chelsea no don show consistent form in three winless games for December. Midweek, Atalanta come from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 for Champions League, leaving Maresca’s men 11th in 36-team league phase, two points behind top eight with two games to go.
For Premier League, Chelsea slip to fifth after 3-1 loss at Leeds and 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, eight points behind Arsenal but just one point behind top four. Blues don drop more points from winning positions at home (8) than any other team this season.
History dey slightly favour Chelsea as dem never lose to Everton in last 30 home league games (W17 D13), their longest unbeaten streak against any team at home. Everton dey in good mood, winning four of last five league games without conceding, most recently 3-0 vs Nottingham Forest to climb seventh, two points behind top four.
Team News
Chelsea absentees: Moises Caicedo (suspension), Liam Delap (shoulder), Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia & Dario Essugo (thigh), Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping). Wesley Fofana injured midweek but fit. Reece James fit drop bench. Cole Palmer likely return, Estevao & Alejandro Garnacho pushing for flanks.
Everton absentees: Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Merlin Rohl (hernia). Thierno Barry fit despite minor shoulder issue. Idrissa Gueye & Tim Iroegbunam back from suspension. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall may play advanced midfield behind striker.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Santos, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry
Prediction
We dey predict Chelsea 1-1 Everton. Everton dey in-form for away games recently and fit frustrate Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Blues go be favourites but expect Toffees to snatch at least one point from this encounter.
