Chelsea-Everton is a match valid for the 28th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 18:30: TV, predictions.
Leeds, Borussia Dortmund, Leicester. A week ago, Chelsea’s streak of consecutive wins was extended as they struggle to make up for a nightmarish start to 2023. Successes that are good for morale, but the chances of clinching a Champions League spot remain slim, if not nil.
The Blues are in serious danger of being out of the most important cup next year. A serious absence, which would clash with the more than 500 million that the new ownership has spent to strengthen the squad. The current league position of the Londoners remains bleak. Graham Potter’s team is only tenth, behind teams like Fulham, Brentford and Brighton, far from fourth place. The gap with Tottenham (who have played one more game) is 11 points. In March, however, Havertz and his teammates showed some comforting signs, one of them being the comeback in the Champions League round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund, which they overturned 2-0 at Stamford Bridge after losing the first leg 1-0 in Germany. The 3-1 victory over Leicester in the Premier League – Chelsea had not scored more than two goals in a match since October – showed that the tactical adjustments are paying off, especially in the ball possession phase, the Blues’ real Achilles’ heel. Awaiting more probing tests – in April they will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals – the only thing to do is to keep winning.
Everton hungry for points
Potter, rumours of waivers momentarily dismissed, will face an Everton side in dire straits this weekend who are willing to do anything to return home with at least a point in their pocket from London.
Doucouré’s exultation
Sean Dyche’s cure is working for the moment and the victory obtained in the last round against Brentford (1-0) – the second useful result after the 2-2 with Nottingham Forest – is one that is worth a double. The red zone remains one point away but with the new coach the Toffees are back to believing in salvation and are more alive than ever.
The Prediction
Chelsea boast a very long home unbeaten run against Everton, with the Toffees’ last success at Stamford Bridge going back 29 years. Getting to grips with Dyche’s rough and tumble team won’t be easy, but the Blues are on the up and shouldn’t commit any missteps in a game of less than three goals total.
The Chelsea-Everton line-up probables
- CHELSEA (3-4-3): Kepa; Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella; James, Kovacic, Enzo Fernandez, Chilwell; Mudryk, Havertz, Joao Felix.
- EVERTON (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, Godfrey; Iwobi, Onana, Gueye, Doucouré, McNeil; Gray.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
