Chelsea will attempt to take the lead at the top of the Premier League—albeit momentarily—when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton this Sunday. Given that Liverpool play later in the day, a win for Enzo Maresca’s men would send them one point clear at the summit.
Match Preview: Everton vs. Chelsea
Chelsea have been unstoppable; they reeled off a fifth consecutive Premier League win with the hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge last weekend. This represents their best form since the 2016-17 title-winning season under Antonio Conte.
Chelsea have been rejuvenated under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, having won every game in all competitions since the international break in November. Chelsea now lie only two points behind league leaders Liverpool and have emerged as serious title contenders.
The good form notwithstanding, Chelsea’s record at Goodison Park gives reason for cause. The Blues have lost five of their last six league visits to Everton, and that underlines the difficulty of this fixture. A win here would signal Maresca’s intent to join a long line of Chelsea managers who relished the pressure.
Everton’s Recent Form and Resilience
Goodison Park is abuzz following the Friedkin Group’s takeover, bringing an end to Farhad Moshiri’s tumultuous eight-year reign. This renewed optimism comes on the heels of Everton’s impressive 0-0 draw against Arsenal, showcasing their defensive grit under Sean Dyche.
The defensive statistics are fabulous: no team across Europe’s top five leagues has managed to keep more clean sheets-six-since November 1, but scoring remains their Achilles’ heel. Though a 4-0 win over Wolves in their last home outing, Everton have netted the fewest open-play goals of any team present in the past two Premier League campaigns.
Chelsea’s Momentum and Challenges
With the high-octane offense of Chelsea, which has flourished in players like Cole Palmer’s steps upwards, their last Conference League match against Shamrock Rovers was only won 5-1 and allowed key player rotation ahead of this crucial test.
However, injuries have clipped the wings of strong depth, with Wesley Fofana, Reece James, and Mykhaylo Mudryk being some names out. Marc Cucurella’s suspension will bring forced tactical adjustments in defence as well.
Team News and Probable Line-ups
Everton
Injured/Ineligible: Armando Broja (ineligible), Dwight McNeil (doubtful).
Key Players: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (looking to end drought), Jarrad Branthwaite (main defender).
Predicted Starting XI: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin.
Chelsea
Injured/Suspended: Marc Cucurella (suspended), Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Mykhaylo Mudryk (out).
Key Players: Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto.
Predicted Starting XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Chelsea
That home form and defensive organization that Everton have make them a very difficult nut to crack, something Arsenal found out last weekend. Chelsea, though, have a very poor record at Goodison Park despite the outstanding season they have been having.
