The final match to be played in the English Premier League on the 6th of August is the meeting between Everton and Chelsea.
The game will be played at Goodison Park and the hosts will be hoping to avoid a relegation battle this season whereas the visitors will be trying to win the title.
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Everton come into the game on the back of two friendly victories. There was a 4-2 win at Blackpool followed by a 3-0 win over Dinamo Kiev.
However, there were also defeats in preseason against Premier League opposition and Everton went down 2-0 against Arsenal and 4-0 to Manchester United.
Everton picked up the points they needed to avoid relegation last season but they were inconsistent. The Toffees have recorded only 4 wins from their 11 most recent games in the Premier League.
Three of those 4 victories came at home and Everton beat Manchester United, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, with those 9 points proving crucial in the battle against the drop.
Trends show Everton are unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Premier League. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in each of their last 2 home league fixtures and both teams have scored in 3 of Everton’s 5 most recent Premier League games on home soil.
Chelsea make the trip to Goodison Park having finished their preseason with a 3-1 win over Udinese. Prior to that win, Chelsea lost 4-0 to Arsenal in the final of the Florida Cup and Thomas Tuchel will be hoping he does not see a repeat of that performance throughout the Premier League season.
Chelsea finished last season with 4 unbeaten matches in the Premier League. There were wins over Leeds United away and Watford at home plus draws at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City.
The Blues were difficult to beat away from home in the Premier League last season and have lost only 2 of their last 11 away Premier League fixtures.
Chelsea were scoring plenty of goals on the road and have scored 3 or more goals in 4 of their 6 most recent away games in the Premier League.
Despite having not been beaten in 27 of their 32 most recent matches in the Premier League, Chelsea have lost each of their last 4 encounters with Everton.
Team news and Everton are without the injured trio of Asmir Begovic, Seamus Coleman, and Andros Townsend. There are doubts over the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin but James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil could make their debut for the club.
Chelsea have doubts over the fitness of Timo Werner and Ross Barkley. Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly could make their debut in this game.
Chelsea will have their eyes on the top prize this season but this has the makings of being a tough fixture.
Everton have done well against Chelsea recently and should find the back of the net. However, we expect Chelsea to outscore the hosts and take maximum points.