There are two English Premier League games to be played on Sunday the 8th of March. One of which takes place at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea welcome Everton.
Chelsea begin the weekend in 4th place in the Premier League on 45 points, which is 3 points clear of Manchester United who are in 5th place. Everton are currently in 11th place on 37 points and not out of contention for European football next season.
Chelsea come into the match having enjoyed a 2-0 home victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup on Tuesday night. It was a fantastic performance by The Blues and will give them plenty of confidence going into this match having previously been held to a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Trends show form in the Premier League has not been great for Chelsea and they have won only one of their last 6 games. The victory came at home against Tottenham Hotspur but prior to that win Chelsea were defeated at home by Manchester United and away against Newcastle United. Sandwiched between those two defeats were draws with Arsenal at home and Leicester City away.
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in 6 of Chelsea's last 8 matches in all competitions and they have managed to score 2 or more goals in 6 of those 8 games. However, Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 8 home Premier League matches.
Everton felt hard done by as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend. The Toffees were gifted a goal in the opening minutes but a goalkeeping error of their own allowed Manchester United to equalise and Everton had a goal disallowed near the end of the game.
That result means Everton have lost only one of their last 7 Premier League games and that came in their most recent away match at Arsenal.
Their away record shows just 3 victories in their last 17 away Premier League games which is a poor record. Everton have conceded at least once in each of their last 13 away Premier League games and both teams scored in Everton's last 10 away matches in the Premier League.
Interestingly, Everton are unbeaten at half time in their last 13 Premier League games.
Team news and Chelsea will be without striker Tammy Abraham who has an ankle injury. The FA Cup victory over Liverpool appeared to come at a cost with both Mateo Kovacic and Willian leaving the pitch injured. N’Golo Kante will definitely miss out due to a thigh injury and Jorginho is suspended.
Everton are still without midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin plus have doubts over the fitness of Lucas Digne, Morgan Schneiderlin and Seamus Coleman.
Given Everton's record in their previous 13 Premier League matches we should expect this game to be level at half time. However, Chelsea could score the goals in the second half to seal maximum points with both teams scoring.