Stage set: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea take on Everton this afternoon looking to reverse their recent poor run of form. Enzo Maresca’s side have gone four games across all competitions without a victory, and they suffered their latest disappointment on the continent in midweek, defeated 2-1 by Atalanta in the Champions League.
The west Londoners went ahead in Bergamo thanks to Joao Pedro’s first European goal for the Blues, but some lackadaisical defending saw the Serie A outfit come from behind to snatch all three points. In their most recent league outing, Chelsea flattered to deceive in a 0-0 stalemate at Bournemouth to follow a 3-1 humbling at the hands of Leeds.
Today, the world champions take on a tricky test at Stamford Bridge, with David Moyes’ Toffees fresh off two successive wins against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. They beat the latter 3-0 at the Hill Dickenson Stadium, as summer signing Thierno Barry finally got off the mark for his new employers. This should be a fascinating encounter, and you can keep up to date with all the Premier League action with our live blog below, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs Everton prediction
The incentive is there for Everton; win and leapfrog Chelsea in the Premier League table. The Toffees are in good form going into the game, winning their last two away matches without conceding a goal.
There’s an argument to say that they are playing Chelsea at the ideal time given the form Maresca’s side are currently in.
It’s certainly a potential banana skin for the hosts and we think the two sides will have to settle for a share of the spoils.
Draw, 1-1.
Predicted lineups
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Predicted Everton XI: Pickford; O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry
Early Everton team news
As for Everton, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his permanent move to Merseyside in the summer.
Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are both available after suspension while Thierno Barry could feature after a shoulder issue and Iliman Ndiaye plays his final game before departing for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman and Merlin Rohl are all sidelined.
Getty Images
Early Chelsea team news
Chelsea should have Cole Palmer available to start this afternoon, despite a "mixed feeling" after training on Thursday.
Palmer missed the defeat to Atalanta to manage his workload, but is still not 100 per cent fit after respective groin and toe issues and came through Thursday’s training session at Cobham with a “mixed feeling”, according to head coach Enzo Maresca.
Wesley Fofana was introduced as a half-time replacement for Trevoh Chalobah in the Champions League, but had to be taken off 30 minutes later after receiving an accidental boot to the eye which impaired his vision. Maresca has confirmed the defeder is "completely fine".
Moises Caicedo, who played the full game in Italy in midweek, will drop out again as he serves the final match of a three-game domestic suspension handed down following his red card against Arsenal last month.
Chelsea captain Reece James may be handed an initial rest against Everton after coming through two sets of 90 minutes against Bournemouth and Atalanta. He is currently unable to play three full games in a week.
That should mean a chance for Andrey Santos in midfield, with Maresca having also claimed that further opportunities are coming for defender Jorrel Hato.
Liam Delap remains sidelined with a shoulder injury picked up against Bournemouth that could keep the striker out for up to four weeks, and there are longer-term injuries to Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill.
Good morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Everton.
The Blues are now winless in four, including two defeats, across all competitions, to see their proposed Premier League title challenge fizzle out before it got started.
A win today is a must for Enzo Maresca, as Chelsea look to build from much-needed momentum heading into the festive period.
Kick-off at the Bridge is at 3pm. Stick with us.