Prediction: Chelsea vs Everton

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their recent flurry on Saturday evening, Chelsea will welcome relegation scrappers Everton to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Graham Potter might have found himself in the midst of a public nightmare after arriving at Stamford Bridge back in September, Chelsea have managed to find a crucial recent boost. While the former Brighton boss might know that he will need a minor miracle if the former European champions are to claim a top-four finish this season, the Blues do appear to have turned a corner. Last seen finally picking up their first away victory of 2023 as they claimed an action-packed 3-1 win away at Leicester, Potter’s side will be looking to make another statement here. Mounting a Champions League comeback in west London last week as they eventually punched their quarter-final ticket after coming past German giants Borussia Dortmund, Saturday’s hosts have won each of their last three consecutive appearances across all competitions. It should also be noted, the Blues have shipped just a single goal in their last five showdowns at Stamford Bridge.

Team News

Chelsea will once again be without the injured duo of Armando Broja and Thiago Silva this weekend. However, the Blues are hopeful that the likes of Raheem Sterling, N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount could play some part on Saturday evening.

Now bagging back-to-back strikes across all competitions, German international Kai Havertz will once again spearhead Potter’s attack at Stamford Bridge.

Everton

As for the visitors, managing to make what was a crucial return to winning ways last weekend, Everton will be desperate to spring a major upset at Stamford Bridge. Eventually snatching a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home against Brentford, Sean Dyche’s new squad are seeking some recent stability. However, although the former Burnley boss might have seen his side show some extended issues in the final third this season, the Toffees have found a route out of the drop zone. Nevertheless, hit with a 1-0 loss when they welcomed Chelsea to Goodison Park for their reverse meeting on August 6th, Everton have gained a real reputation for their struggles on the road. In fact, including a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Arsenal earlier in the month, it should be highlighted that the relegation scrappers have remarkably failed to win any of their last nine straight Premier League matchups outside of Merseyside.

Team News

Although Dominic Calvert-Lewin might be inching closer to a return from a thigh injury, the England international is not expected to feature at Stamford Bridge. Likewise, ex-Crystal Palace star Andros Townsend will not travel to west London.

Missing out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad this week, Conor Coady should once again settle for a spot on the bench here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met at Goodison Park on August 6th for their reverse meeting, Chelsea picked up a 1-0 victory.
• Saturday’s hosts have secured three consecutive victories across all competitions for the first time since October.
• Likewise, Chelsea have conceded just a single strike in their last five appearances at Stamford Bridge.
• Everton have failed to win any of their last nine straight Premier League showdowns away from Goodison Park.
• The Toffees have also drawn a blank in three of their previous four top-flight contests on the road.

Conclusion

Managing to claim three consecutive victories for the first time since back in October, Chelsea should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. While Everton might have made a crucial return to winning ways last weekend, Dyche’s squad have continued to gain a reputation for their rather glaring issues on the road. Remarkably failing to win any of their previous nine straight contests away from Goodison Park, Potter’s side are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Likewise, claiming a 1-0 victory when they traveled to Merseyside for their reverse meeting on August 6th, we are expecting a similar outcome in west London.

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet