Everton vs Chelsea Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

A revitalised Everton take on a struggling Chelsea at Goodison Park, with both clubs eager and desperate for a win.

Everton made headlines at the end of the midweek fixtures with a stunning victory over Newcastle United, with Chelsea up next for them. Sean Dyche proved instrumental in setting his side up adequately for the challenge posed by the Magpies to come out as 3-0 winners at Goodison Park.

Kieran Trippier’s error late in the second half saw Dwight McNeil take full advantage and drill home the contest’s opening goal. The Englishman was at it again with another error, losing possession to Jack Harrison, who then squared the ball to Abdoulaye Doucoure to put the game to bed. Substitute striker Beto added a third in injury time to put an emphatic score on the board.

The Toffees got out of the relegation zone courtesy of the win. Everton will now look to exploit Chelsea and potentially add to their misery as Dyche remains adamant about keeping them safe from the threat of relegation. Ironically, if Everton had those ten deducted points, they would have been above their opponents on the table.

Chelsea had contrasting fortunes midweek, as Mauricio Pochettino could not steer his side to a positive result against Manchester United. While Bruno Fernandes missed an early penalty, Scott McTominay scored in both halves to secure three points. The Blues did get back in the game briefly through Cole Palmer but to no avail.

Pochettino has plenty of work to do with this squad, but he is equally under tremendous pressure to progress with this expensively assembled squad. There are no suggestions that his job has come under scrutiny for now. But things could take a different course with another lousy result on the board.

Beating Everton is imperative for Pochettino to help the Chelsea owners see progress. His team have largely been inconsistent, but the manager would surely not want the players to repeat their overall performance at Old Trafford going forward.

Team News & Tactics

Everton

Due to the unavailability of key midfielders, Sean Dyche had to tweak his setup a bit, meaning Abdoulaye Doucoure dropped deep, while Jack Harrison occupied the role behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin. James Garner could return to the squad after an illness that saw him miss the midweek encounter.

Similarly, Amadou Onana, who missed the last three games with a calf problem, has also returned to training and might feature in the squad. The Belgian has a lesser chance of starting than Garner. But if the latter still needs to be up to speed, Dyche could set in the same way as he did in midweek.

There were concerns about Seamus Coleman, making a record 353rd appearance for the club and his first start since May. He suffered a knock, but Dyche admitted it was understandable, considering the veteran had been out for a long time. Jordan Pickford also suffered a minor problem with his knee, but the manager has allayed fears about it being anything serious.

Pickford might make the grade, while Nathan Patterson could replace Coleman at right-back. Beyond that, Dyche may only see the need for change if Garner makes himself available in the nick of time. Hence, with that one change at right-back, Everton could field the same team that beat Newcastle United in midweek.

Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Young, Doucoure, Gueye, McNeil; Harrison; Calvert-Lewin

Chelsea

As has been the case since the season began, Chelsea have continued to put out updates regarding their injured players. There appears to be no respite in sight for Mauricio Pochettino to pick from a rich pool of notable names, and he must rely on his current squad, who have underperformed this season.

Good to see you, boys. 👍 pic.twitter.com/vxjTguGf9d

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 8, 2023

From their defeat at Old Trafford, Pochettino may not make wholesale changes but could tweak his system based on the availability of Conor Gallagher. The midfielder missed the midweek clash with a suspension, and upon his return, he could see Mykhailo Mudryk drop down to the bench.

Cole Palmer could return to the lineup after being on the bench on Wednesday, while Reece James made no progress in convincing Pochettino about handing him a starting spot. The England international had an underwhelming display off the bench in midweek, so Axel Disasi could replace Marc Cucurella at right-back.

Benoit Badiashile could return to the lineup and play alongside Thiago Silva in the heart of Chelsea’s defence. Levi Colwill will remain at the left back. Pochettino might ponder handing Armando Broja a start. But despite Nicolas Jackson’s terrible display on Wednesday, he might keep his place to spearhead the attack.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson

Key Stats

• Everton last won three Premier League games in a row in March 2021.
• Everton have five wins from their last seven games across all competitions.
• Chelsea have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea’s last five games in the Premier League.
• Chelsea have only one victory in their last four Premier League games against Everton.

Player to Watch

Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher is so important.

The midfield melted away without his dynamic presence, losing him was a hammer blow.

Key player. pic.twitter.com/XyXaWp32Sj

— Tom Overend (@tovers98) December 8, 2023

Gallagher brings bite to the Chelsea midfield, and they sorely missed his presence against Manchester United. The England international’s presence has proved helpful for Pochettino this season, and he continues to show how important a player he has become for them.

Hence, against Everton, Gallagher’s performance will have a massive say in the proceedings. The midfielder must dictate the game’s tempo and provide Chelsea with that extra bit in the attack they lacked against Manchester United.

Prediction

Everton 2-1 Chelsea

Chelsea have only one win in their last four Premier League games and have struggled for relevance against well-drilled sides. Everton have shown enough in the previous few weeks that they are up to getting out of their current rut coupled with the ten-point deduction.

They might struggle again when coming to an energetic Goodison Park, with Everton bang in form. The Toffees have the physical presence to hurt Mauricio Pochettino’s side, while Sean Dyche showed in the last game he can set up his side to keep chances at bay. Hence, Everton has options to secure the three points, but the Londoners have the attacking impetus to hurt them at some stage.