Chelsea can, if only briefly, go top of the Premier League table with a win over Everton on Sunday.
The Blues once again capitalized on Liverpool's drop points last weekend beat cheating Brentford 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Then there's another potential banana skin, with the Toffees enjoying their share of success against the Blues in recent years, particularly on Merseyside.
The west London club are unbeaten since October with their deficit to the league leaders just two points. They completed their Conference League run on Thursday night with a 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers as Enzo Maresca once again used the extremes of his big squad.
Everton fans have had the sweet relief of not having to watch too much of their team this month, and Goodison will be alive on Sunday with news of Friedkins' signing.
Sean Dyche's side beat Wolves 4-0 last time out on home soil and held on Arsenal in a goalless stalemate at the Emirates last weekend. They are up to 16th place.
Here it is 90 minutes guide to ChelseaNext Premier League match.
Everton vs Chelsea H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Everton |
Chelsea |
|---|---|
|
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 14/12/24 |
Chelsea 5-1 Shamrock Rovers – 19/12/24 |
|
Everton 4-0 Wolves – 04/12/24 |
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford – 15/12/25 |
|
Man Utd 4-0 Everton – 01/12/24 |
Astana 1-3 Chelsea – 12/12/24 |
|
Everton 0-0 Brentford – 23/11/24 |
Tottenham 3-4 Chelsea – 08/12/24 |
|
West Ham 0-0 Everton – 09/11/24 |
Southampton 1-5 Chelsea – 04/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
N/A – live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada |
Dwight McNeil has been a key cog for the Toffees since joining the club and has been impressive again this season. However, the midfielder missed last week's draw with Arsenal through injury and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the visit of Chelsea – Sean Dyche told his press conference that it is “touch and go”. if he will play.
Everton are certainly without striker Armando Broja, who is ineligible to face his former club on Sunday, while James Garner is suffering from a muscle injury and could miss out again. Youssef Chermiti and Tim Iroegbunam are both out.
Everton predicted formation against Chelsea (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Mangala, Ndiaye; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin.
Marc Cucurella started Thursday with Maresca knowing the Spaniard is suspended for Sunday's game. Renato Veiga, who started at centre-back against Shamrock Rovers, is likely to deputize at left-back at Goodison Park.
Benoit Badiashile was set for a run in the team after Wesley Fofana's recent injury setback, but the left-footed defender has suffered a problem of his own which should include Tosin Adarabioyo in Sunday's XI alongside Levi Colwill.
Reece James and Carney Chukwuemeka are out, while Mykhailo Mudryk is predictably out. failed a drug test per week.
Chelsea predicted formation against Everton (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Caicedo, Tosin, Colwill, Veiga; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
It's hard to predict which side will slow down Chelsea's momentum, but Goodison Park hasn't been a particularly happy hunting ground for the Blues of late.
And with the country set to be in a fiery mood following the departure of Farhad Moshiri, Sunday looks like a tricky test for Maresca's side – even if they are well rested.
Dyche's squad is physical and compact, and they will use a similar blue print from last weekend's draw at the Emirates. The hosts are determined to surrender territory and aim to hit Chelsea on the break as well as from set-pieces, and they could do enough to tame the Blues on Sunday.