Everton Chelsea Preview

Everton play Chelsea at Goodison Park, who have been two dominant attacking forces in the premier league this season. With some key players missing for Everton, the clash between former Chelsea boss Carlos Ancelotti’s side and Lampard’s Chelsea is a crucial one. With 8 wins in the last 9 games this season, scoring the second-highest goals and second-best defensive record, Chelsea look to go top with a win at Goodison Park this evening.

Everton, on the other hand, with key players missing, playing in front of 2000 fans for the first time this season, will be quite a challenge as well. The superb form of Richarlison and high scoring Calvert-Lewin spearheading the attack could prove to be crucial for Toffees. The most worrying aspect for the Toffees coming into this game would be their poor shape defensively. The absence of Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne in defence will hurt Everton more, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last 13 matches in all competitions.

Ancelotti’s side with the absence of their star playmaker James Rodriguez and Fabian Delph in the middle of the park could prove costly as Everton will be forced to change formation from their more compact 4-2-2 to 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, with Ben Godfrey slotting into the left-back role. The presence of Holgate will also be interesting to watch as to whether he could be forced to play wide right to deal with Timo Werner. With James’ absence, Iwobi is tipped to start playing more wide while still checking Chelsea’s high pressing wing-backs. It will also be interesting to see whether Ancelotti will give a start to Tom Davies along with Allan, Doccure, or Bernard in the middle. Ancelotti’s disinterest in starting a left-footed Nkounkou over a right-footed Godfrey at left-back could play a crucial role considering the absence of Hakim Ziyach for Chelsea. With points dropping through questionable defensive shapes, Everton played exceptionally well against Burnley in a 3-4-3 shape on paper with Godfrey shifting to the right. Finally, Jordon Pickford’s role will be crucial enough for the Toffees, who had a 3-1 victory last time out against Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Chelsea, on the other hand will be looking to go top of the table this evening. The absence of Hakim Ziyech and Hudson Odoi should not prove damaging, considering the squad depth Chelsea have this season. With Christian Pulisic slotting into the right-wing role alongside the in form Oliver Giroud and Timo Werner will prove to be deadly. With first-team players rested during the Champions League draw against Krasnodar, the likes of Mendy, Thiago Silva, Zouma, Recce James, Ben Chilwell, Kante, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount should be back for the game. Timo Werner, on the other hand, will be coming into the game with an eye for a goal, since he is without a goal in the last 6 appearances in all competitions. Meanwhile, Oliver Giroud with his recent spectacular goal-scoring spree should prove crucial as he is tipped to start over Tammy Abraham. While Lampard has tried out several formations throughout this season, it is quite visible in recent games, his style of play shows the team responding well in a 4-3-3 attacking formation with a diamond in the middle providing enough cover to resist a counter-attack from opposing teams. It will also be interesting to see how Reece James will play against Richarlison with the former often slotted into the right-wing role quite often during a game.

In previous fixtures the Blues have only kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight league meetings against Everton, losing both games in which they conceded. Conversely the Toffees on the other hand have won their last two Premier League home games against the Blues and will be trying to make it a three. Chelsea’s away record also proves to be against them as well. Everton come into the game with two back to back defeats against Manchester United and Leeds but they have not lost three matches in a row at home since 2016, while manager Ancelotti hasn’t lost three consecutive home league games since 2006 with AC Milan.

Anticipated Starting Lineup:

CHELSEA(4-3-3)- Mendy, Reece James, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount, Kante, Havertz, Timo Werner, Pulisic, Giroud

EVERTON(4-4-2/4-3-3)- Pickford, Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfry, Doucoure, Allan, Davies, Iwobi, Calvert Lewin, Richarlison