CHELSEA will be looking to extend their eight-game winning run when they clash with Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
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Everton vs Chelsea preview
Can Chelsea be stopped?
Enzo Maresca's side have enjoyed a terrific eight-match winning run in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and conceding seven.
Premier League wins over Leicester, Aston Villa, Southampton, Tottenham and most recently Brentford have seen them rise to second in the standings - two points behind leaders Liverpool heading into the weekend.
Are they genuine title challengers? Maresca says no, but the bookies don't agree with Chelsea now more likely to win the title than both Arsenal and Manchester City, according to the odds.
The Blues are ticking all the boxes statistically with their xG of 34.82 the highest of all 20 sides. Their 37 goals scored is also the highest in the league, while only two clubs have conceded fewer goals.
Chelsea don't play one of the 'big six' over Christmas, with their next scheduled for January 25th against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
And maximum points against Everton would tee them up nicely for the busy Christmas period, especially with the luxury of a fresher squad having consistently fielded their fringe players in the Conference League.
But that could be easier said than done.
Goodison Park hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea over the years. In fact, Sunday's visitors have lost FIVE of the last seven win Merseyside with just one victory since 2017 (W1, D1, L5).
They've also failed to score in five of those games, and that's not ideal given Everton's defensive record this season.
Sean Dyche's side have registered six clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games - including an impressive one against Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend.
Only Arsenal have a lower expected goals conceded (xGC), fewer shots conceded and fewer shots on target conceded over the last six gameweeks.
Everton vs Chelsea preview betting odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Everton vs Chelsea preview betting tips and predictions
Goals? Unlikely
Chelsea won this fixture 6-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, but there's very little chance of a repeat at Goodison Park on Sunday - especially given Everton's defensive performances.
Sean Dyche's side will be happy to gift Enzo Maresca's side the ball and play for the draw - occasionally hitting their opponents on the break. That's likely to result in a frustrating afternoon for the visitors in a game that should see less than 2.5 Goals scored.
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First goalscorer and correct score predictions
Everton vs Chelsea
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Away bookings
Believe it or not, Sean Dyche's Everton are actually one of the cleanest sides in the division - based on bookings at least.
The Toffees have only been shown 26 yellow cards in 16 matches this season, which is 23 less than Sunday's opponents Chelsea - who've registered a league-high 50 bookings.
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