Chelsea are third in the Premier League after 11 matchdays and can go to the top of the league with a win away at Goodison Park on Saturday night. The Blues have taken 22 points from 33 possible in the league and will fancy their chances against Everton.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team have not recovered from their 2-2 draw versus Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby. The Toffees are winless in five of their last six games. Four of those matches ended in losses.
Everton had to come from behind last weekend to draw with Burnley away, 1-1. After flirting with the top of the table, Everton are now just struggling to get wins and fight for a top-six place.
The Toffees have taken 17 points from 33 possible and sit in ninth place. They are three points off of fifth-place Southampton.
The home team are unbeaten in the last seven matches in all competitions between these clubs. Everton claimed a 3-1 win last season at Goodison Park. Chelsea did return the favour at Stamford Bridge 4-0.
Manager Frank Lampard will be without wingers Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Ziyech is injured once more after showing good form for the Blues. He has a thigh strain and isn’t expected back until Boxing Day versus Arsenal.
Hudson-Odoi also has a thigh injury that will keep him out for the next few weeks. The winger is expected back on Boxing Day as well.
Ancelotti is without full-back Lucas Digne and Fabian Delph this weekend. Digne has an ankle injury and Delph is facing time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Full-back Seamus Coleman and goalkeeper Robin Olsen are both expected to miss the game due to their own injury issues.
Chelsea have taken 11 points from 15 possible on the road. They have won back-to-back games on their travels and have outscored opponents 11-4 in five away games. Back-to-back road games against Burnley and Newcastle United finished in wins to nil.
Everton are winless in three straight games at Goodison Park with the last two fixtures both ending in losses. They were outscored 4-1 by Manchester United and Leeds United.
The last seven games in all competitions between these clubs saw the home team claim a result. Five of those games saw the home team win.
Kova scored his first @PremierLeague goal when we faced Everton last season! 🙌#EVECHE pic.twitter.com/bkvNB7yKD4— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 10, 2020
Kova scored his first @PremierLeague goal when we faced Everton last season! 🙌#EVECHE pic.twitter.com/bkvNB7yKD4
Saturday’s game at Goodison Park should see that trend come to an end, however. Chelsea should grab a win and move to the top of the table, inflicting more hurt on Everton.