A bit of history will be made today, as Chelsea travel to the Hill Dickinson stadium for the first time. Liam Rosenior is looking to get his Chelsea tenure back on track, after a difficult week. 

Form Guide and Match Context

Everton, like Chelsea, are also competing to get into Europe next season. They currently sit 5 points behind the Blues and they can make it 2 with a win.

The Toffees are 8th in the table currently, but it is not out of the question that they could quickly climb up the table and finish in Europa League places at the least. 

Their form has been a bit inconsistent as of late though.

Everton’s narrow losses to Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bournemouth have dampened their European push, but an impressive win over Newcastle, and important 3 points against Burnley and Fulham means that they’ve been able to keep themselves within touching distance of European dreams next season.

Although, their home record is something that David Moyes will want to improve, with their recent win over Burnley being their first at home in 6 matches.

Disappointing draws to Leeds and Wolves, as well as big defeat to Brentford means that Chelsea will be encouraged by the Toffees recent run at home. (W1, D2, L3)

Chelsea themselves are in a bit of a rough spot form wise though, particularly over the past week.

The Blues went out in humiliating fashion in the Champions League against PSG, just half a year after demolishing the European Champions in the Club World Cup final, as well as a crushing defeat at the hands of Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Rosenior has been under a bit of pressure as of late, and rightfully so. Chelsea’s defence has been a major problem under the Englishman’s watch. 

The Blues will take confidence in their impressive away record though, as Chelsea currently sit 2nd in the table for away form in the Premier League. Above Manchester City and just behind Arsenal. 

Head-to-head insight

Goodison Park had always been a tough ground for Chelsea, and Chelsea fans to travel to. 

The Blues have won only 22 of their 94 matches played at Everton’s old stadium. It gets even worse, with a massive 45 defeats coming at the hands of the Toffees in Merseyside. 

The last time Chelsea won away at Everton was in August 2022, when Jorginho scored a penalty to separate the sides and hand his side the 3 points. 

However, the Hill Dickinson provides a fresh arena for Chelsea to try and conquer.

Stats to Know

• Chelsea have kept a clean sheet against Everton in their last 4 meetings with the Toffees.

• Chelsea boast the 2nd best away record in the Premier League this season. While Everton are 14th for their home record this season. 

• 6 of Everton’s last 7 goals conceded in the Premier League have come in the 60th minute or beyond. 

• 9 of Chelsea’s last 10 competitive away games have seen either 3 or more goals in the match. 

Players to watch and Team News

Everton have a face that Chelsea fans know all too well, as Kieran Dewsbury-Hall will look to show the sporting directors why they were wrong to sell him.

He will likely be a danger for the Blues today, as his creative spark and key assists have been important for Everton’s European push this season. 

For Chelsea, they will look to rely on Cole Palmer once again to see if he can provide some of his former magic.

He hasn’t been on form recently, but with the World Cup coming up, you can imagine he’s itching to show what he is capable of. 

Injuries are a big factor for Chelsea heading into this game. Trevor Chalobah has been ruled out for 6 weeks, which is actually less time than fans expected.

Reece James will continue to be sidelined for reportedly 2 months with another hamstring injury.

Filip Jorgensen is unavailable after having surgery on his groin. Levi Colwill is still far away from a return, but a return for Estevao could be on the cards with him being on the bench against PSG. 

Jack Grealish has a foot injury which sees him being ruled out for this game. Carlos Alcaraz will also be out of this game. Tyrique George is also ineligible to play against his parent club. 

Potential Lineups:

Everton: 4-2-3-1 – Pickford; Garner, O’Brien, Keane, Mykolenko; Gueye, Iroegbunam; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.

Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 – Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.

Where to watch

United Kingdom: Sky Sports 
United States: Peacock 
Canada: Fubo 
India: JioHotstar 
Australia: Stan Sport 
Nigeria: SuperSport 

Conclusion and Prediction

Chelsea will take confidence in their away record this season.

Having already overcome rivals like Aston Villa this season away from home, they should feel a quiet confidence that they can come away from this with 3 points.

Although what will be worrying is Chelsea’s poor form against Everton away historically, and their recent form. 

A lot of questions are being asked of the Blues and their manager, so they will either be coming out of the blocks hoping to prove their critics wrong.

But there is an equal chance that some of these players’ hearts just aren’t in it anymore. This game will be a true test of the squad’s mentality.

Score Prediction: Everton 1-2 Chelsea