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PREVIEW: Chelsea vs Everton – 11/11/2018

Chelsea vs Everton

Date: 11/11/2018

K/O: 14:15

Venue: Stamford Bridge

TV: Sky Sports Main Event 

Referee: Kevin Friend

Chelsea will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against a strong Everton side seeking their fifth win in six games. The Toffees have been in good form so far this season, but will they have enough to keep a clinical Chelsea side at bay?

Chelsea are a side full of confidence after a clinical performance against Crystal Palace last weekend but they host an Everton side who are high on morale after recent performances. Chelsea will be assured knowing they are in front of the home faithful at Stamford Bridge but a win here is not guaranteed.

The Blues have been strong so far this season, still unbeaten and only two points off the top of the league. Chelsea’s focal point has been Eden Hazard this season and if he is fit and firing it may be tough for an Everton side for whom defence has not been their strongest suit.

Everton too are slowly working their way into some form. Before the loss against United, they had won three consecutive games, and a strong performance last week against Brighton means they will back themselves to challenge Chelsea and try to inflict defeat on them for the first time this season.

Team News 

Chelsea: Chelsea may well have a fully fit squad to pick from this weekend. The only concerns are Olivier Giroud and Cesc Fabregas, who are doubts for the fixture. If the aforementioned are unfit, Chelsea will still have the strength in depth to allow them to cope with their absences.

Alvaro Morata showed just how good he can be last weekend with a double against Crystal Palace. He could have had three if not four goals, so if he continues to improve then this weekend could be a fantastic opportunity for the Spaniard. He is looking to show why Chelsea spent so much money on him and to convince the club’s hierarchy not to go looking for a replacement in January which, if you believe the gossip, they have been considering doing.

The largest dilemma for Maurizio Sarri this week will be in the midfield. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been in sparkling form recently, scoring a hattrick two weeks ago in the Europa League. Will he get the nod over Ross Barkley is the main question, but whichever way they go, Gareth Southgate will be happy to see both England players flourishing in West London. Loftus Cheek has been on the periphery all season, and with neither Jorginho or N’golo Kante likely to drop out, it appears that there is one place available for himself, Barkley and Fabregas to fight for.

Everton:

Everton have six players out for this match but from the team that lined up against Brighton, only one player is missing now who wasn’t missing then and that is Kurt Zouma; the central defender is unavailable for the fixture due to returning to his parent club. Yerry Mina is likely to take this spot after he made his debut last weekend in the final ten minutes of the game against Brighton.

As a result, Everton have the opportunity to pick near enough the same eleven that dismantled Brighton 3-1 last weekend with Walcott and Bernard proving pace out wide and an inform Richarlison up front, fresh off two goals last weekend.

Defence may be a worry for Marco Silva’s men though, with Pickford not being in his best form and Kurt Zouma ineligible to play. Trying to keep a rejuvenated Morata quiet with Hazard and Willian running at them from all angles is going to be a tough ask.

Predicted Starting XI’s

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Barkley; Pedro, Morata, Hazard

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Gueye, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Richarlison

Score Prediction: Chelsea 1 – 1 Everton

This weekend will be a tight affair in my opinion. Everton have looked good this season and with Chelsea traveling to Belarus on Thursday night, there may well be some weary legs out there. I cannot see Chelsea losing but a draw is on the cards with Liverpool going back above Chelsea into second. Unless of course, we see a certain Belgian winger shine once more in which case there could be a large score on the cards. We can only wait and see.

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