Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: 05/11/2016
Kick-off: 17:30 (BST)
Everton prepare to square off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and given the Blues’ wonderful run of form, the match is expected to be a really tough challenge for the away side on the day.
Everton managed to end their five match run without a win by claiming a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at Goodison Park last weekend and it has to be said that the Toffees put in an impressive display during the encounter.
Manager Ronald Koeman will now surely be hopeful that his side can use the good result against the Hammers as a springboard to further success in the coming matches but doing so this weekend will be anything but easy as Everton prepare for a daunting encounter against in-form Chelsea away from home.
Everton Team News
Everton are still without the services of long term absentees Leighton Baines, Muhamed Besic, Arouna Kone, James McCarthy and Matthew Pennington, while midfielder Idrissa Gueye will also be unavailable after picking up a suspension.
As a boost though, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg should return to full fitness and start in goal on Saturday. At the back, Ashley Williams is expected to continue his partnership alongside Ramiro Funes Mori in central defence which means captain Phil Jagielka is on the bench once again while the full-back positions will be occupied by Seamus Coleman and Bryan Oviedo.
Tom Cleverley will probably start alongside Gareth Barry at the middle of the park in the absence of Gueye and the wide positions are expected to be occupied by Yannick Bolasie and Kevin Mirallas once again.
Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku were both impressive in the victory over West Ham and the duo will surely have a key role to play if Everton are to claim a good result on Saturday.
Probable Lineups
Chelsea (Probable XI): Courtois; Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Alonso; Moses; Matic, Kante, Hazard, Pedro; Costa
Everton (Probable XI): Stekelenburg; Oviedo, Funes Mori, Williams, Coleman; Barry, Cleverley, Mirallas, Barkley, Bolasie; Lukaku
Last Meeting
12/03/2016 Everton 2 – 0 Chelsea
16/01/2016 Chelsea 3 – 3 Everton
12/09/2015 Everton 3 – 1 Chelsea
Prediction
Everton may head into the clash on Saturday as underdogs but they have enjoyed bit of a dominance over Chelsea in recent times, remaining three games unbeaten.
The last time Everton visited Stamford Bridge, the result was an exciting 3-3 draw and the neutrals would most certainly welcome another encounter like that.
However, Chelsea do have the momentum heading into the clash and given the fact that the Blues are showing any weaknesses whatsoever, Everton may have to return from London without any points.
Chelsea 2-1 Everton
