Both sides head into this one desperate to pick up all three points as they look to boost their European aspirations.
Inconsistency has been Chelsea’s Achilles' heel this season, having failed to record back-to-back Premier League wins this calendar year. Frank Lampard’s men needed a late Marcos Alonso goal to salvage a point last time out in the league against strugglers Bournemouth, although they will be buoyed by their midweek triumph over champions elect Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Everton themselves have ensured a rollercoaster season, though the ride has become a lot smoother since the arrival of Ancelotti in December. Having flirted with relegation early on, the Toffees now find themselves comfortably mid-table, with Europa League qualification a real possibility.
Here’s 90min’s preview of this one.
Where to Watch on TV
| When is Kick Off? | Sunday 8 March |
| What Time is Kick Off? | 14:00 (GMT) |
| Where Is it Played? | Stamford Bridge |
| TV Channel/Live Stream? | Sky Sports (UK) |
| Referee? | Kevin Friend |
Team News
Suspensions and injuries will play a large part in Lampard’s team selection this weekend. Willian is expected to miss out with an Achilles problem and N’Golo Kante remains sidelined.
Tammy Abraham (ankle) and Calum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring) are also expected to miss the clash as they continue rehab respective injuries, while midfield lynchpin Jorginho misses out through suspension.
Mateo Kovacic is a doubt for the home side having limped off in their impressive win over Liverpool in the FA Cup. Expect Scottish youngster Billy Gilmour to be rewarded with a place in the starting XI following his sensational midweek performance.
For the visitors the news is more upbeat. Lucas Digne is expected to be available having missed the last two matches with a muscle strain, although Seamus Coleman isn’t expected to be available, the full-back is set to miss the Toffee’s next couple of fixtures with a thigh injury.
Predicted Lineups
| Chelsea | Caballero; James, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Alonso; Gilmour, Barkley; Pedro, Mount, Giroud |
| Everton | Pickford; Sidibé, Mina, Holgate, Digne; Delph, Gomes; Richarlison, Sigurðsson, Iwobi; Calvert-Lewin. |
Head-to-Head Record
As two of only seven teams never to be relegated from
Recent Form
Chelsea’s recent form pretty much sums up their season. Impressive wins against Champions League-chasing Tottenham and soon-to-be champions Liverpool haven’t quite had the adulation they perhaps deserve, with poor performances against Bournemouth and Bayern Munich blotting the recent results table.
Everton can count themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points at home to Manchester United last time out, and they’ll feel aggrieved to have left the Emirates empty-handed a week prior.
Sunday offers both sides the chance to put recent frustrations behind them and kick on towards the end of the season.
| Chelsea | Everton |
| Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool (03/03) | Everton 1-1 Man Utd (01/03) |
| Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea (29/02) | Arsenal 3-2 Everton (23/2) |
| Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich (25/02) | Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace (8/2) |
| Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham (22/02) | Watford 2-3 Everton (1/2) |
| Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United (17/02) | Everton 2-2 Newcastle (21/1) |
Prediction
Everton’s record at Stamford Bridge is nothing short of atrocious, although two wins from their last two meetings with Chelsea is cause for optimism.
Chelsea’s midweek excursions in the FA Cup may well have taken its toll on Lampard’s men, with the Blues boss quick to stress the amount of injuries his side are carrying at the moment.
Neither team is shy in front of goal, but neither is water-tight defensively. Expect sparks to fly in this one as both sides look to grab the three points.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Everton
Source : 90min