Verdict: Everton double chance
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to spring another heavyweight upset at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, Everton will welcome Chelsea to Merseyside.
Everton
Starting with the hosts, while Everton might still be dealing with some rather public issues behind the scenes at Goodison Park following last month’s 10-point deduction, Sean Dyche’s side certainly aren’t showing any signs of a hangover. Putting in a stunning performance earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a famous 3-0 romp against Champions League outfit Newcastle, some in Everton’c camp will be smelling the chance to make another heavyweight statement. Opening December with a 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, the former Burnley boss has seen his squad skyrocket their way out of the relegation zone. In fact, on what has quickly become an astonishing run of form, the Blues have lost just one of her previous seven Premier League appearances – a run that stems all the way back to a 2-0 loss against Liverpool on October 21st.
Team News
Dealing with a recent calf injury and not featuring since November 11th, Everton are once again sweating over the fitness of Belgium international Amadou Onana. However, Dyche’s side are hopeful that one-time Manchester United starlet James Garner will be able to make a full return on Sunday afternoon.
While summer recruit Beto might have notched his first Premier League strike against Newcastle in midweek, it should be Dominic Calvert-Lewin who spearheads Everton’s charge at Goodison Park this weekend.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have opened December with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Brighton, Mauricio Pochettinio’s side came crashing back down to earth in midweek. Eventually falling to a 2-1 loss at the hands of historic rivals Manchester United, the former Premier League champions are seeking a major miracle in their bid to book a European return this season. Still struggling to find any kind of stability under the former Tottenham boss, Chelsea have recorded just a single win from their previous four Premier League appearances. Marking their return from November’s international break with a 4-1 drumming against Newcastle, Sunday’s guests have also continued to show some rather glaring issues at the back. Including a famous 4-4 draw against defending champions Manchester City on November 12th, Pochettino’s men have failed to muster a single Premier League clean sheet over the past couple of months.
Team News
In what could be a major boost for Chelsea this weekend, Pochettino’s side are hopeful that summer recruit Christopher Nkunku will finally be able to make his Blues debut on Sunday afternoon. However, they still remain without the likes of Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Ben Chilwell here.
However, after serving a one-match suspension away at Manchester United earlier in the week, England international Conor Gallagher should make an immediate return at Goodison Park. Reece James should return to his usual spot at right-back.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Everton and Chelsea last met back on March 18th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
- Everton have lost just one of their previous four Premier League showdowns against Chelsea.
- Likewise, the Toffees have lost just one of their previous seven straight Premier League appearances.
- Pochettino’s side have failed to muster a single Premier League clean sheet in their previous eight outings – a run that stems back to October 2nd.
- Five of Everton’s last six Premier League showdowns at Goodison Park have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Putting in a famous performance earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a stunning 3-0 romp against Champions League outfit Newcastle, Everton will certainly be smelling the chance to claim another heavyweight scalp here. Losing just one of their previous seven Premier League appearances, Dyche’s men will also be excited by an eye-catching record against Sunday’s guests. Losing just one of their last four meetings against Chelsea, we are backing a home double chance at Goodison Park this weekend.
Verdict: Everton double chance
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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