Premier League high-flyers Chelsea will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the league when they welcome former manager Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton side to Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening. The Blues are coming into this fixture on the back of a special 2-0 FA Cup victory against Liverpool, and are sure to have their tails up considering the magnitude of that result. Everton, on the other hand, were perhaps unfortunate not to take maximum points against Manchester United the last time out.
Talking Tactics
Chelsea
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea team will undoubtedly be full of confidence at this point, considering the shockwaves that their weekend result against Liverpool sent around the West-London fanbase. The London team will be expected to take control of possession and the tempo of the fixture right from the early minutes, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them apply some early pressing either. With Abraham unavailable, Lampard could be forced to go towards a more direct approach with Giroud, where the Frenchman could act as the target man.
Everton
Carlo Ancelotti’s system at Goodison Park can transform them into an attacking threat at any stage in the match, as can be seen from their solid performance against United. Expect the former Real Madrid manager to attempt to play on the counter against a Chelsea defence that has been susceptible to pace so far this season. Also, the Toffees would likely be forced to do a lot of deep defending in this tie.
Team News
Chelsea
Going into what is arguably the most crucial part of the season for any team aspiring for top four, the Chelsea injury list will not be a pleasant sight for Frank Lampard. Christian Pulisic, N’Golo Kante, Tammy Abraham, Mateo Kovacic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all unavailable for selection due to various injuries. Despite this though, the biggest miss going into this tie is sure to be the absence of Brazilian speedster Willian.
Predicted Lineup: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen; James, Barkley, Gilmour, Alonso; Pedro, Giroud, Mount
Everton
Massive credit has to be given to the Everton medical team for allowing Andre Gomes to return within months of the horror injury he picked up earlier in the campaign. Morgan Schneiderlin and Seamus Coleman are both unavailable for selection and are currently treating long-term knocks, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin continues to watch on from the sidelines as well. Lucas Digne picked up an unfortunate muscle injury the last time out.
Predicted Lineup: Pickford; Sidibé, Mina, Holgate, Baines; Walcott, Gomes, Davies, Sigurdsson; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
Key Men
Chelsea
Frank Lampard is currently dealing with injuries to eight players, who could have all featured in the first-team tomorrow. Given the lack of depth presently plaguing Stamford Bridge, the onus must fall onto the shoulders of Marcos Alonso. The Spaniard has been the Blues’ saviour on numerous occasions over the last many years, and he’ll have to once again be at his best to get Chelsea over the line against Ancelotti’s Everton.
Everton
The return of Andre Gomes has undoubtedly come as a massive blessing to this Everton side, and his passing and movement in the middle of the park could prove to be crucial. Despite this, it must be conceded that young Englishman Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the star of the Merseyside show for a while now and that he has what it takes to turn this tie around with a single moment of brilliance.
