Chelsea vs Everton - Preview

Chelsea host Everton at Stamford bridge with the “league leader” tag as they are one point ahead of the second placed Arsenal in the league table. The Blues will look to secure all three points to keep up the lead while Everton will try to emulate their previous performance against Chelsea, where Naismith’s goal clinched a surprising 1-0 victory for the toffees.

Chelsea

Team News

Chelsea don’t have much to worry about injuries. Marco van Ginkel remains a long-term injury absentee with an ACL injury. With champions league clash coming up, Jose Mourinho may rotate the squad. Oscar may start again after sitting out in bench against Manchester City (FA cup). Ramires who had a bad game against the Citizens may be dropped from the starting lineup.

For Everton, Steven Naismith has recovered from the concussion that he had sustained during last week’s FA cup action. Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku is still out with an injury (anyway he is ineligible to play against his parent club) while Gibson and Ovideo are also out. This means loan signing form Monaco, Lacina Traore will spear-head the attacking line-up.

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Willian, Lampard, Oscar, Hazard, Torres/Eto

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Pienaar, Mirallas, Traore

Match Facts

Chelsea have lost none of their last 18 Barclays Premier League home games against Everton (W9 D9).
Steven Naismith has scored in two of his three Barclays Premier League appearances against Chelsea.
The Londoners have won just three of the last 11 Premier League games against the Toffees (W3 D4 L4).
There have been four goals in the opening 15 minutes of the last four meetings between Chelsea and Everton.
All six of Samuel Eto’o’s Premier League goals for Chelsea have been scored at Stamford Bridge.

Match facts Courtesy: Yahoo Sport

Recent form

Chelsea are still unbeaten at bridge this season, and Jose is yet to lose game at home as a Chelsea manager in the league. Everton’s form is not bad either as they have won 3 and drew one in their last 6 games.

Chelsea: WDWWDL

Everton: DWLWLW

Prediction

Home side are the clear favourites unless there is a surprise performance from the Toffees.