Chelsea and Everton for the first time since Premier League era are fighting in a battle for Champions League spot. The Blues are sitting on the fourth, while The Toffees are just below them with only one point difference. This weekend, they will be squaring off to endure each of their positive trends. Jorginho and Co have been unbeaten since Thomas Tuchel took charge while Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won three games in a row respectively, including in a Merseyside derby.
The teams’ previous matches
Chelsea managed to thump Liverpool 1-0 in Anfield in the midweek. A single goal from Mason Mount made the difference in the game, which was supposedly even but The Reds, once again, wasted a number of decent chances to score.
Everton successfully extended their third win consecutively after winning over WBA 1-0 also on the road. Their one who made the difference was once again, the Brasilian forward Richarlison. He always scored in the last three victories starting from the Merseyside derby and against Southampton in the fixture before.
Possible tactic
Thomas Tuchel will stick to his 3-4-2-1 although he has not found the way yet to optimise Timo Werner and Kai Havertz’s potentials yet. This time it would be a good opportunity for the German boss to try featuring Kai Havertz as the false nine, the role he excelled at in his later seasons with Bayer Leverkusen. He fits the profile for a poacher as well as scorer with heights since they will be facing off Everton’s physically tall and strong defenders led by Michael Keane, and has the ability to open the space for Werner. Such is something that Giroud does not possess. Those two German forwards will be accompanied by Mason Mount. The only names on the sideline here are Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancellotti might still be opting for 4-3-1-2. Unfortunately, Yerry Mina and James Rodriguez are still sidelined here alongside Seamus Coleman, Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Jean Gbamin. The Italian boss will still be deploying Dominic Calvert Lewin and Richarlison as the front duo supported by Gylfi Sigurdsson as the number ten.
Players to watch
Frank Lampard’s favourite player, Mason Mount, turns out to be one of Tuchel’s favourite as well. He has netted five goals and provided three assists in EPL this season. Some other key men to watch are Jorginho and Timo Werner.
The Toffees’ top scorer Dominic Calvert Lewin has scored 13 goals in Premier League this season. Yet, the ones who have been the vital figures lately are the goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison.
Chelsea vs Everton Prediction
Thomas Tuchel’s men might still have a bigger challenge the score here more than keeping a clean sheet. Michael Keane and Co have been able to kept clean sheets in the past three games. Jordan Pickford’s form has been superb too. Unless, Chelsea does not come up with a new surprising attacking side, the final result would be goalless.
Betting odds
The Blues are still the favourite here. They are projected to win at 3/5. In contrast, Everton’s win market is only at 29/5. Meanwhile, the draw result is at the value of 33/10.
