Prediction: Chelsea vs Everton

Prediction: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

The December schedule is in full swing as clubs up and down the Premier League prepare for a season of joy, anxiety and unpredictability. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for football fans with games coming at us from every single direction, and that theme is going to continue later this week with one of the featured games pitting a nervous Chelsea against a depleted Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Chelsea are the European champions and they also happen to be one of the favourites in the race to win the Premier League title. The problem, of course, is that they have a tendency to drop points in games that they really should be dominating. When things aren’t going their way they tend to throw their toys out of the pram, which is the kind of thing Thomas Tuchel needs to correct – and fast.

Team News

Kovacic is out after testing positive for COVID-19, Kante and Chalobah are viewed as fitness doubts nd Chilwell is the only confirmed injury absence.

Everton

Everton have been struggling for a while under the guidance of Rafa Benitez and that could’ve been told to the board from a mile off. The Toffees’ loyal fanbase has been protesting that things haven’t looked great within the ownership for weeks, if not months, and it feels as if we aren’t too far away from a shift – whether it be in the squad in January or in the actual day-to-day operations.

Team News

Allan and Richarlison are both fitness doubts with Sigurdsson being ruled out alongside Digne, the latter of whom is suspended. Elsewhere, the following stars are on the shelf with injury too: Mina, Davies and Calvert-Lewin.

Factors to Consider

• Chelsea are 3rd in the Premier League whereas Everton are 14th.
• Chelsea have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Everton have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six games.
• Chelsea have scored 15 goals and conceded 10 in their last six games.
• Everton have scored four goals and conceded 12 in their last six games.

Conclusion

Everton managed to get a nice boost in their last outing against Arsenal as they were under the lights at Goodison Park. This week, they aren’t quite going to have the same luxury as they travel down to London to take on one of the best teams in world football. Chelsea are going to be slow to get going, as we’ve seen from them in recent weeks, but they should be able to overcome any early adversity and grind out the win.

Prediction: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/4

Bookmaker: 888sport