Prediction: Chelsea vs Everton

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to build off of their FA Cup success in midweek, Chelsea will turn their attention back to securing a top-four finish when they welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might find themselves in the midst of what has been a rollercoaster patch, there is no doubt that Frank Lampard’s side will be boosted by their display on Tuesday night. Knocking runaway leaders Liverpool out of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-0 win in West London, the Blues now simply have their sights set on widening their buffer in the top-four. Dropping more points away at relegation scrappers Bournemouth last weekend and still yet to pick up an away victory since opening the New Year, the former England midfielder finds his side now holding just a three-point buffer from dropping out of the Champions League spots. In the midst of a Premier League run of form that has seen them land just a sole victory in their last six appearances, a run that stems back to the 11th of January, Chelsea also hold what is a worrying record against Sunday’s guests. Hit with a 3-1 defeat when they made the trip to Goodison Park earlier in the season, the Blues have been hit with back-to-back defeats against Everton and have not recorded a win against the Toffees since October 2017.

Team News

Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic is definitely ruled out on Sunday because of an Achilles problem.

Willian is a doubt with a similar issue and could join the Blues’ lengthy absentee list, which also includes the suspended Jorginho.

Everton

As for the visitors, while Everton may have been left furious to have seen VAR disallow what would have been a stunning victory against Manchester United last weekend, the Blues have shown some real improvements under new boss, Carlo Ancelotti. Reigniting their outside European ambitions, the former Napoli Head Coach has seen his side lose just a sole Premier League matchup in their last seven appearances and the mood around Goodison Park appears to be on the rise. With a growing reputation for their performances in front of goal after bagging at least a pair of strikes in four of their last five outings, there is no doubt that fans around the blue half of Merseyside will be most impressed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent purple patch. Once again finding the net against the former champions last weekend, the 22-year-old is heavily tipped with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad after now finding the net in his last three top-flight matchups on the bounce. More impressive, Everton’s leading marksman has recorded a goal in all bar one of his last six league appearances and also bagged a brace when he last faced off against Sunday’s hosts earlier in the season.

Team News

Seamus Coleman will miss Everton’s next two matches with the muscle problem sustained in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Defender Lucas Digne is fit again after his own muscle strain.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Everton picked up a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.
• In fact, the Toffees have landed back-to-back Premier League victories against Sunday’s hosts and have not lost a matchup against Chelsea since October 2017.
• Everton have lost just one of their last seven Premier League appearances.
• Frank Lampard’s side have scored over 1.5 goals in three of their last four matches across all competitions.
• Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in each of his last three Premier League matches on the bounce.

Conclusion

While Chelsea may have shocked many at Stamford Bridge on FA Cup duties in midweek, there is no doubt that Sunday’s hosts will face a stern test this weekend. Continuing to shine since brining in new boss Carlo Ancelotti, the Toffees have lost just one of their last seven Premier League appearances and hold an eye-catching record against Frank Lampard’s youngsters. In a game that should produce plenty of chances, we’re backing another lively contest between the two sides at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet365