Everton v Chelsea predicted lineups and match preview

Follow us on Google Discover

Chelsea travel to Everton looking to get their season back on track after a poor start, but they face a tough task with a motivated Toffees side, whose fans will be less than forgiving for their pursuit of John Stones.

To be played on Saturday 12th September 2015 at 12:45. Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool

Odds: Everton 16/5, Draw 51/19, Chelsea Evens

Chelsea pursued Everton’s prized defensive asset towards the end of the transfer window, so it will be interesting to see how big a role he plays at Goodison Park this Saturday lunchtime. When he’s on his game, he is certainly capable of thwarting some of the best forwards in the Premier League.

It has been a rocky start to the season for the defending champions, having only picked up the one win from their opening four games, and it will be interesting to see what kind of effect the international break has had on their side, and whether they will return fully focused and keen to kick-start their campaign. This weekend they travel to a side who have yet to register a win after two home games so far.

They may take some comfort from that, but Everton can be relatively pleased after their disappointing draw at home to Watford at the start of the season that they have managed to take four points from three difficult games – with their only loss being to pace-setters Manchester City – though the absence of Tom Cleverley may be felt sorely after he was stretchered off during the draw against Tottenham prior to the international break.

As for Chelsea, despite the poor start, it’s not expected that there will be many surprises to their starting line-up, but they have suffered a blow with a knee injury to Thibaut Courtois sidelining the goalkeeper, with Asmir Begovic expected to take his place.