Everton v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Everton host Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday. The Blues have won three of their last five away matches but the Toffees have actually taken more points this season if we exclude the points deduction. Everton have won four of their last five home matches vs Chelsea.

Everton Form

With eight wins in the last 12 matches, Everton’s poor start to the season is behind them. Things turned around with a 3-1 win at Brentford in the league and a 3-1 victory at Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup. A 2-1 home defeat to Luton Town saw a complacent display. They’ve since played nine matches with just two losses.

The streak has seen a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth and a 1-0 win away at West Ham. They’ve also won 3-2 at Crystal Palace in their run. After an early goal led to a 3-0 home defeat to Man Utd (despite 24 shots and 2.47 Expected Goals), Everton have won their last two. They took three points in a 1-0 success at Nottingham Forest before thrashing Newcastle 3-0 on Thursday night.

Everton Team News

Sean Dyche has Dominic Calvert-Lewin available to start up front, but the short turnaround time could see Beto given a chance in the XI. Amadou Onana remains doubtful in the engine room, and he will be tough-and-go for this one. James Garner was ill in midweek but will hope to return.

In the latter’s absence, Jack Harrison played as a number ten vs Newcastle with Ashley Young on the right wing and Seamus Coleman at right back. That will be the setup again if neither Onana nor Garner can start. Andre Gomes and Dele Alli are out injured.

Everton Motivation

Everton are playing with confidence and belief right now. Goodison Park was rocking in midweek and will be again for this match.

The Toffees tend to win this fixture and will see a fragile Chelsea as beatable. They will play to win but a draw would not be a bad result either.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea are a mixed bag right now in terms of performances and results. They had won three successive away league matches, tasting victory at Fulham (2-0), Burnley (4-1) and against nine-man Tottenham (4-1). They have since been beaten 4-1 at Newcastle and 2-1 at Man Utd on Wednesday.

After the Spurs victory, they drew 4-4 at home to Man City in a free-flowing display. The Newcastle setback followed that, before beating Brighton 3-2 at home last Sunday with ten men. The loss at Old Trafford saw Chelsea give up numerous chances and shots from their own cheap giveaways.

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea remains without a bunch of injured players Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah, and Wesley Fofana. Malo Gusto, Noni Madueke, and Lesley Ugochukwu are still question marks but they could be close to a return.

Conor Gallagher is a certain starter as he returns from suspension with Mykhailo Mudryk expected to drop down to the substitutes bench. Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku are in the ‘reconditioning’ phase of their rehabilitation, and both could make the bench for this one.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea are deeply inconsistent and they are giving up loads of goals and chances.

They will play to win this match and won’t see a draw as a positive result. With so many injuries, there is very little on the bench to turn matches.

Key Stats

Everton have won 8 of their last 12 matches in all competitions

Everton have won just 2 of their 8-home league matches this season

Chelsea have won 3 of their last 5 away Premier League fixtures (WWWLL)

Chelsea have lost 4 of their last 5 away matches vs Everton

Verdict

Both sides are creating chances and have enough to score. Chelsea are difficult to bet on right now and Everton feels like the safer bet in this match.

Best Bet: Everton win/draw double chance at 1.62

Alternate Bet: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals at 2.05

Value Bet: Everton win at 2.95

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis