Prediction: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: 888sport
After over two months of waiting, the Premier League is back this weekend with a whole host of fixtures for fans to sink their teeth into. Another campaign full of drama, twists and turns lies ahead with all 20 clubs having their own expectations for what’s ahead. In the first Saturday night game of the season, Everton will play host to Chelsea at Goodison Park in a clash between two clubs with a lot to prove.
Everton
How do you solve a problem like Everton, you ask? Well, in truth, nobody really knows the answer to that – Frank Lampard included. The fact that this clash is against his former club should bode well for their confidence but beyond that, it’s hard to see how this season is going to be any different for a club that spent a whole lot of time flirting with relegation just a matter of months ago.
Team News
Allan, Begovic and Mina are doubtful with the list of suspended and outright injured players being a painful one: Townsend, Coleman, Davies, Rondon, Gomes and Calvert-Lewin. However, McNeil and Tarkowski should make their respective debuts.
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel knows and understands better than anyone that there’s a certain level of expectation behind what this club can achieve, especially now that there are new owners at the helm. The big question will be whether or not they get everything they desire in the summer transfer window because if they do, they could legitimately start pushing the pace on Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race.
Team News
Werner is a doubt for Chelsea but he may already be on his way to Germany, Chilwell is set to return to action, and Sterling & Koulibaly are both expected to make their competitive debut.
Factors to Consider
- In their latest meeting back in May, Everton beat Chelsea 1-0.
- Chelsea finished third in the Premier League with 74 points.
- Everton finished 16th in the Premier League with 39 points.
- Chelsea won their final pre-season friendly against Udinese 3-1.
- Everton won their final pre-season friendly against Dynamo Kyiv 3-0.
Conclusion
A rowdy home crowd in Merseyside, in our view, simply isn’t going to be enough to make up for the gulf in quality here. Chelsea are going to keep it on the deck and frustrate the hosts at every available turn as the Toffees continue to try and find some legitimate cohesion with their new-look squad. This is going to be fairly comprehensive with the Blues registering a statement-making 3-0 win to kickstart their run.
Prediction: Chelsea win
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: 888sport
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