"First things first" - Chris Sutton makes big predictions for Chelsea vs Everton in clash of 2 teams regaining form
Football pundit and former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has predicted a 2-0 win for Chelsea against Everton at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday (March 18).
Both teams are in decent form. The Blues have won their last three games across competitions to get their season back on track. Graham Potter's side, though, sit tenth in the league, 11 points adrift of fourth place.
Everton, meanwhile, have a win and a draw in their last two games. Sean Dyche's troops beat a high-flying Brentford side 1-0 at Goodison Park in their last outing. That lifted the Toffees to 15th place, but they're still only a point clear of the relegation zone.
Sutton, though, believes they might not be able to repeat that result on Saturday. The 1994-95 Premier League winner has picked Chelsea to register a comfortable win, writing in his column for the BBC:
"Chelsea seem to be finding a bit of form, at last. Wouldn't it be something if they won the Champions League under Graham Potter, after such a difficult start for him at Stamford Bridge? First things first, though, they should take three points on Saturday."
He added:
"Everton are another team who are decent at home but dreadful away. They have a really tough run-in, by the way, so their form on the road will have to improve at some point if they are going to stay out of the bottom three."
Chelsea are coming off a 3-1 win over Leicester City in their last outing, marking the first time they scored thrice in the Premier League since December.
Chelsea edged Everton when they met earlier this season
Chelsea and Everton have already met this season, clashing at Goodison Park in the opening matchweek of the ongoing Premier League season.
The Blues, then managed by Thomas Tuchel, came out 1-0 winners. Jorginho, now at Arsenal, netted the only goal of the contest from the spot in the ninth minute of first half stoppage time.
The Toffees, who were under Frank Lampard then, recorded just 37% possession and created no big chances. They did, however, have four shots on target, just two fewer than their opponents.