Chelsea vs Everton Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score
Chelsea entertain Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Blues head into the weekend action sitting one point clear of Arsenal and three ahead of Manchester City, so the west Londoners can put some real pressure on their rivals with a win in the early kick off tomorrow.
Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup last weekend following a 2-0 defeat to City at the Etihad and that result came after being held to a 1-1 draw by West Brom, so Jose Mourinho will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
He should be confident of doing so against Everton as the Merseysiders have never beaten Chelsea at the Bridge in the Premier League era and Roberto Martinez has never won there as a manager, losing his last four visits.
However, the Toffees did win the reverse fixture 1-0 at Goodison Park earlier in the season and they are enjoying an excellent campaign with Martinez’s men currently sitting five points off fourth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.
Team News
Chelsea are set to welcome back John Terry after a muscle problem kept him out of the last three games. The skipper will replace David Luiz in defence as the Brazilian has been ruled out with a leg injury.
Gary Cahill is expected to be passed fit despite suffering a minor thigh injury, while Fernando Torres is likely to make his first start in over a month.
Mourinho has no other injury worries to contend with and he’s confirmed he’ll play a strong team and resist the temptation to rest players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
Everton will be without the fit-again Romelu Lukaku as he’s ineligible to face his parent club as per the terms of his loan agreement.
Lacina Traore is therefore likely to make his Premier League debut up front, although Steven Naismith is in contention despite suffering concussion last weekend.
Martinez will be able to call upon Antolin Alcaraz, but he’ll continue to be without Bryan Oviedo, Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson.
Likely Line-Ups
Key Man
Eden Hazard: The Belgian has been Chelsea’s stand-out player for much of the season and he will be the man to watch out for once again tomorrow. Everton will have to keep him quite if they want to take anything away from west London.
Predicted Score
Chelsea 2-1 Everton: While the Toffess will no doubt make life difficult for Chelsea and put up a good fight, we think they will eventually come unstuck.
What team would you start and what’s your predicted score? Share your suggestions below.
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Wilfred Machazh
February 21, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Chelsea 3-1 Everton Hazard, Terry & Torres
Ali
February 21, 2014 at 9:20 pm
My predict is chelsea 2 everton 0
al ansar
February 21, 2014 at 9:56 pm
my predict is everton 1-3chelsea
Graeme
February 21, 2014 at 9:56 pm
No Jon Obi Mikel, no problems. 2 – 0. Oscar needs to put in a shift
Israel
February 21, 2014 at 10:41 pm
God wil do it angin
matthew
February 21, 2014 at 10:50 pm
Chlesea 4 Everton 0
matthew
February 21, 2014 at 10:54 pm
I wash my team all de best try all their to win the mach, I wash them goodluck.
Dennis Oletukovie
February 21, 2014 at 11:04 pm
D truth is d@, since Mata left Oscar has never impressed me. Which means d idea of competition is lost.
Chelsea 3 Everton 1
Ezeh jude kosisochi
February 22, 2014 at 12:05 am
Everton 1 : 3 Chelsea fc. Arsenal 2 : 2 Sunderland
Ezeh jude kosisochi
February 22, 2014 at 12:09 am
Everton 1 : 3 Chelsea fc. Arsenal 2 : 2 Sunderland….. Chelsea will maintain there LEAD, if u believe Chelsea fans shout UKWUu!!
ISAH BAZHI
February 22, 2014 at 5:34 am
I just pray that we shall get our three (3) point Insha-Allah.
ISAH BAZHI
February 22, 2014 at 5:36 am
I don’t want to predict but Insha-Allah we shall win the match and get our three[3]point.
adenekan kehinde
February 22, 2014 at 5:36 am
We need dis match,we need our key man to score more today,I tink the scores wil be 3-2.
ekallam geresem
February 22, 2014 at 5:41 am
Chelsea 1:2Everton,Arsenal 2:1Sunderland
Emukule G William
February 22, 2014 at 5:44 am
Gooooooooooooo chelsea beat them 5 to 0 and we take the title.
Yunny
February 22, 2014 at 6:41 am
Inshall Allahu we shall deafeat everton 3_2
Kingsley
February 22, 2014 at 8:45 am
D match hs all d trapping of an explosive match.end 2 end stuff.my head tels me everton wil score first but chelsea wil win.
Martiano Martiano
February 22, 2014 at 8:55 am
Chelsea 2-1 Everton
mightyb
February 22, 2014 at 10:01 am
I tink ramires shld b out of d@ selection
John Vincent
February 22, 2014 at 10:56 am
Chelsea 1 vs 0 Everton. Oscar to score d only goal.
Ejehsunday
February 22, 2014 at 11:56 am
God tanz to giving chelsea 3 point
Ejehsunday
February 22, 2014 at 11:56 am
God tanz for giving chelsea 3 point
Orlar
February 23, 2014 at 8:31 pm
God has already done it