Everton have a very tough game on their hands this weekend. The Toffees will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Antonio Conte’s high-flying Chelsea. The Blues are just one point behind the top three of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool and look like strong contenders for the title. Since their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Arsenal, Chelsea have not conceded a single goal in four games and look compact on either end of the pitch.
Everton are on the back of a 2-0 win against West Ham last weekend but their overall form has been far from desired. Ronald Koeman started his reign at Goodison Park in a really strong manner but the Toffees then had to go through a poor run of form. The Blue half of Merseyside were winless in five games in all competitions before last week’s win and a loss to Chelsea can be damaging for them.
The last ten encounters between Chelsea and Everton have been close. Everton have won four times while Chelsea have won five but the Londoners have not won either of their last three games against the Toffees. Here is the predicted Everton lineup against Chelsea.
Defence
Dutch custodian Maarten Stekelenburg will start under the bar ahead of Joel Robles. Bombarding right full-back Seamus Coleman will start at right-back posing a big challenge for Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso. Ashley Williams is an undisputed choice at centre-back is likely to be partnered by Ramiro Funes Mori.
Phil Jagielka is an alternate option to Koeman but we expect Funes Mori to get a start before of his pace which will be needed to stop the likes of Pedro and Hazard. With Leighton Baines injured, Bryan Oviedo will start at left-back.
Midfield
Everton will miss their influential midfield dynamo Idrissa Gueye against Chelsea as the Senegalese international will serve a 1-game ban after picking up 5 yellow cards. James McCarthy should be fit in time for the game and could get a start in place of Gueye. If the Irish international fails to make a return to full fitness, Tom Cleverley will be called in by Koeman.
Gareth Barry will keep his place at the middle of the park and has to ensure that he provides enough screen for the back four. Ross Barkley was brilliant against West Ham last week and will keep his place in the number ten role.
Attack
Yannick Bolasie and Kevin Mirallas will start on the flanks with former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku up front. With the kind of form Lukaku is in, he can cause severe damage to his former employers on his own!
