Everton narrowly escaped relegation last term, earning themselves a season-opener against Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The Toffees, spearheaded by Chelsea's all-time leading scorer Frank Lampard, collected a crucial three points in this fixture last May. Thomas Tuchel's Blues waded through plumes of smoke that day at Goodison Park and spent much of the campaign's conclusion stumbling through the fog of uncertainty sparked by the club's high-profile sale.
After neither side quite enjoyed the summer reset they both envisaged, here's everything you need to know about their bout this weekend.
Where are Everton vs Chelsea playing?
Location: Liverpool, England
Stadium: Goodison Park
Kick-off Time: 17:30 BST / 12:30 EST / 9:30 PST
VAR: John Brooks
Referee: Craig Pawson
Where can you watch Everton vs Chelsea in the UK?
Channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Channel: Sky Sports Premier League
Channel: Sky Ultra HD
Streaming Service: NOW TV
Streaming Service: Sky Go
Broadcast Time: 17:00 (BST)
Where can you watch Everton vs Chelsea in the United States?
Channel: NBC Universo
Streaming Service: NBC Sports
Streaming Service: Peacock Premium
Broadcast Time EST: 12:30
Broadcast Time PST: 09:30
Where can you watch Everton vs Chelsea in Canada?
Streaming Service: fuboTV Canada
Broadcast Time (EST): 12:30
Where can you watch Everton vs Chelsea Highlights?
Channel: Sky Sports Football
Channel: BBC Match of the Day
Stream: Sky Football YouTube channel
H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Everton: 2 Wins
Chelsea: 2 Wins
Draws: 1 Draw
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Everton: LLLWW
Chelsea: WWLLW
Everton team news
Dominic Calvert-Lewin assumed even greater importance following the summer departure of Richarlison - the match winner against Chelsea last season. However, Everton's number nine has been ruled out of the first game with a 'freak injury'. Lampard was deliberately vague as provided no further time scale.
Alongside Calvert-Lewin, Salomon Rondon is Everton's only other senior striker but the Venezuelan is still suspended following a reckless red card against Brentford in May.
Seamus Coleman has been recovering from a groin injury throughout the summer, opening a spot in defence for Nathan Patterson. Yerry Mina and Tom Davies are also doubts while nursing knocks.
Back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic twisted his wrist during training and is set to be on the sidelines with Andros Townsend, whose knee injury may keep him out for as long as eight months.
Everton predicted lineup vs Chelsea
Everton Starting 11: Pickford; Tarkowski, Keane, Godfrey; Patterson, Doucoure, Allan, Mykolenko; Gordon, Gray, McNeil
Bench: Lonergan, Holgate, Iwobi, Dele, Nkounkou, Vinagre, Mills
Chelsea team news
The Chelsea hierarchy may not have stocked Tuchel with all the recruits he desires quite yet, but the vast majority of the players at his disposal are expected to be fit for the trip to Merseyside.
Armando Broja emerged from an awkward fall during training unscathed. Ross Barkley may well be available against his former side after Tuchel described his hamstring problem as "more of a discomfort than an injury."
However, Timo Werner is a doubt with a more serious hamstring issue.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Everton
Chelsea Starting 11: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Sterling
Bench: Arrizabalaga, Emerson, Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic, Ziyech
Everton vs Chelsea score prediction
Everton emerged with four points from their league meetings with Chelsea last season despite getting outshot 14 to 40 across the two games.
Stripped of Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, the club's top scorers across the past four years, Everton may struggle to rediscover that clinical edge when they host the reigning Club World Cup champions.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Chelsea
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Source : 90min