Merseyside outfit Everton have now picked up 13 points from their last five games to move to the 9th place in the points table, 18 games into the league campaign. Sam Allardyce, the new manager, has found a working system, which has done well in recent games. However, it will be severely tested this weekend, when the Toffees welcome reigning English Champions Chelsea, who stand in the 3rd place in the points table.
The Blues are fresh from their 5th consecutive victory in the league in the last round against Southampton and have also beaten Everton in four of the last five meetings between the two sides. Everton lost to Chelsea in the reverse fixture, on the first game of the season, but under a different manager. They will look to put up a fight and steal some points from this game. Here is the predicted lineup Allardyce might field for this tie:
Team News:
Long-term absentees Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, Roberto Funes Mori, Maarten Stekelenburg and Leighton Baines will all be missed for this game. However, both Yannick Bolasie and James McCarthy played for the U23s earlier in the week and could make the bench. Allardyce used a 4-4-2 on his trip to Anfield recently, which yielded decent results. He might shift to the same, with a number of options for different roles in the squad.
Expected lineup (4-4-2)
Defense:
English youngster Jordan Pickford has already cemented his place as the first choice for the club under the bar. He will be tested by a Chelsea side, even in the absence of Alvaro Morata. Youngster Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate have done exceptionally well in the recent run of wins for Everton. There is no reason for Allardyce to tinker with this combination, with Kenny at RB and Holgate as the right-sided CB.
Adding some experience to this backline will be Ashley Williams, who seemed to have improved on his game under Allardyce. He might be up against Eden Hazard as a false9 and will have his work cut out all game. With Baines still out injured, Cuco Martina, who has been decent this season, will continue at left-back.
Midfield:
Sam Allardyce has used Idrissa Gueye to good effect as the only holding midfielder against most sides. However, Chelsea and its midfield will need more attention and this should see Gueye partnered with Morgan Schneiderlin, in the middle of the park.
Winger Aaron Lennon has got some spark back under the new manager and has been productive on the right wing in the midfield while former Swansea man Gylfi Sigurdsson, who will have to start firing soon, will start on the left flank.
Attack:
Young Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been effective in most games this season. More so when played in a strike partnership. He should get a chance this weekend partner Wayne Rooney, in leading the attack against Chelsea.
Here is how they might line up:
