Chelsea will be looking to extend their seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League when they host relegation-threatened Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
Chelsea currently sit in ninth place in the table, only five points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United, while Everton are down in 16th, two points clear of the relegation zone.
The Blues continue to befuddle onlookers. Just days after the thrill of what felt like a hugely important morale-boosting win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side over Manchester United, Chelsea disintegrated at Sheffield United and were forced to settle for only a draw.
It sums up the inconsistency of Pochettino’s first season in command, which may be attributed to his squad’s youth. They will need to prove they can string results and performances together if they are to break into the lower-tier European spots.
Reeling from another points deduction, Sean Dyche’s relegation-threatened Toffees’ will head to Stamford Bridge in search of vital three points that will further open up the gap between themselves and the bottom three.
While Everton have pledged to appeal their latest two-point penalty for breaching the league’s financial rules in the assessment period running to the end of 2022/23, they enter Gameweek 33 just two points clear of 18th-placed Luton Town and 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Sean Dyche’s side went on an impressive unbeaten streak when their first deduction was handed down prior to Christmas, and they need a similar response this time around after ending a torrid 13-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Burnley last weekend.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
Chelsea will welcome Malo Gusto back into their starting XI against Everton after the defender was rested against Sheffield United through sickness, while Ben Chilwell could also be back in the fold for Monday’s clash.
Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi have both surfaced as fresh doubts; therefore, adjustments in a couple of positions are on the cards, with Conor Gallagher going back into central midfield, while Mykhailo Mudryk could be handed the chance to impress in the starting lineup.
Robert Sanchez and Raheem Sterling will also need to be evaluated, as the duo has both been suffering from illnesses. Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, and Lesley Ugochukwu will all be unavailable for selection due to injury problems.
Thiago Silva scored against the Blades and could keep his spot if Disasi is ruled out here. Cole Palmer is available despite concerns over a knock, and the Englishman will again feature as the number 10 behind centre-forward Nicolas Jackson. Noni Madueke could also keep his position after a great performance and goal in the draw with Sheffield United last Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Everton
Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye are both set to return to the fold, while Arnaut Danjuma, who has been a long-term absentee, may also be included. Dele Alli and Lewis Dobbin remain unavailable for selection. But Sean Dyche could otherwise have a full-strength squad ahead of the crucial final run-in.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to start despite concerns over a slight hamstring issue, while playmaker James Garner is available despite fears over a knock. If Everton are to stay afloat in the English top flight, they need Calvert-Lewin’s recent upturn to be more than a mere fluke.
After going 18 Premier League games without a goal, Calvert-Lewin has now scored in back-to-back matches, having also converted from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United. Jack Harrison could replace experienced attacker Ashley Young on the right wing on Monday, with Dwight McNeil manning the opposite flank.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Onana, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Key Stats
- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 28 league games at home with Everton, winning 15 and drawing 13.
- Everton’s only Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge came in November 1994.
- The Merseyside outfit are seeking to complete a first league double over Chelsea for 45 years after winning the reverse fixture 2-0 at Goodison Park in December.
- Chelsea are on a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, winning three and drawing four.
- Mauricio Pochettino’s side have conceded 52 league goals this season, five more than in the entirety of 2023–24.
Player to Watch
Cole Palmer
Palmer has become a clutch player for this Blues side this season, showing his ability to carry the team’s attack on his own. He has been involved in 25 goals in his last 22 Premier League games, scoring 16 and assisting nine, and he could become the first Chelsea player to net in seven straight Premier League home games here.
In addition to scoring goals, the English attacker also creates plenty of opportunities for his teammates, making him a genuine contender for the Player of the Year award.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Everton
Everton are capable of putting up a serious fight on Monday, with the Toffees having enough quality in their ranks to threaten an erratic Chelsea defence. It will be a surprise if the points are split at Stamford Bridge. But the hosts may just manage to pick up three crucial points against their relegation-threatened opponents.