Key occasions
For Chelsea, that is Romeo Lavia’s first get started since January. It’s a good reality however not anything in comparison to the stat that Cole Palmer hasn’t scored for 16 video games. With Lavia partnering Enzo Fernandes in central midfield, Moses Caicedo is shunted to right-back, which means skipper Reece James most effective begins at the bench.
How bizarre to record an Everton workforce with out writing the title Tarkowski. A hamstring damage has dominated the defender out for the season and his absence right here ends a run of 109 consecutive Premier League video games.
Teams
Chelsea: Sanchez, Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Enzo, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin, James, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho, Nkunku.
Everton: Pickford, Patterson, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gana, Garner, Doucoure, Harrison, Ndiaye, Beto.
Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Keane, McNeil, Chermiti, Young, Coleman, Alcaraz, Iroegbunam.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire).
Preamble
Chelsea have performed 49 fits in all competitions this season and simply two have ended goalless. The first was once in opposition to Everton 3 days prior to Christmas, a end result which ended an eight-game successful streak and sparked a decline in fortunes. Enzo Maresca’s aspect misplaced their subsequent two fits. In fact, that Everton stalemate might be a turning level from which they’ve by no means truly recovered. Chelsea nonetheless have hopes of a top-five end and a Champions League spot subsequent season nevertheless it’s completely within the steadiness. With Liverpool and Arsenal taking over two puts, it’s now a five-horse race for the remainder 3 between Man City (61pts), Nottingham Forest (60), Newcastle (59), Chelsea (57) and Aston Villa (57). Chelsea, Forest and Newcastle have a sport in hand following Man City’s dramatic 2-1 in win over Villa in midweek.
For Everton, the David Moyes new supervisor soar has long gone reasonably flat. The returning hero led his aspect to a flurry of issues to right away rule out any fears of relegation however a present thermometer take a look at presentations only one league win in 8. A kinder take is they’ve drawn 5 of the ones video games and the one defeats have been to Liverpool and Manchester City.
If all that implies Everton may simply nick some other level right here, the closing assembly between the pair at Stamford Bridge does now not. Rewind to April 2024 and Chelsea thrashed the Toffees 6-0, a tender chap referred to as Cole Palmer completing with 4 targets after finishing a hat-trick within 30 mins.
With the whole thing just about rubber-stamped on the height and backside of the desk, the combat for European spots is the place it’s at now. Let’s get this factor on! Kick-off is at 12.30pm.