Everton Vs Chelsea Preview
Everton Vs Chelsea Team News:
As Chelsea visit Everton this weekend, there is a huge cloud hanging over their head. There has been mixed reports on their star striker, Diego Costa’s availability and after such an impressive start into the Premier League, Costa’s absence could prove to be costly.
The Mirror reports that, the ex-Atletico Madrid man won’t be risked at Goodison Park on Saturday with Jose Mourinho wanting to ensure he’s fit for after the international break.
Last season Chelsea did not budge in front of the bigger teams, but still were not able to lay their hands on the Premier League. And much of this can be blamed on their lack of clinical finish in front of the goal against the minnows. But this season has been different.
Both against Burnley and Leicester, Chelsea were clinical and much of this can be credited to Diego Costa. The former Atletico man was present at the right time in the right place and has already scored twice for his team. This will be a huge miss for Chelsea as they prepare to take on the Everton side with a changed attitude under Roberto Martinez.
But Diego Costa’s absence may not be that bad for the team with Didier Drogba in contention to make his first start for Chelsea since his comeback. The Ivorian international returned to Chelsea after the club two seasons ago and the legendary player would be welcomed with open arms at the Bridge.
On the other side Everton man Romelu Lukaku would be pumped up to face his childhood superhero after he joined Everton from Chelsea this season on a permanent deal, spending his last season under Roberto Martinez on loan. Last season he could not face Chelsea as they were the parent club, but this time he would like to show Jose Mourinho and the entire management what they missed out on when he was allowed to leave.
Roberto Martinez must be utterly disappointed with his team after they dropped two points against Arsenal last weekend in the last ten minutes of the match and he would like to make amends for it. But one thing that was clear from that match was that Everton were ready to take on the bigger teams and this week they would not go easy on Chelsea either.
Cesc Fabregas has been doing brilliantly for Chelsea in the last two matches and he would like to continue his form running. Manager Jose Mourinho has other reasons to be happy as Eden Hazard is seemingly back to form after his second half goal Leicester. Otherwise the team looks set with Cesar Azpilicueta being preferred over Filipe Luis on the left hand side of the defence.
Steven Naismith was outstanding against Arsenal and Martnez would like to see him keeping his from going. The midfield battle between Gareth Barry and Nemanja Matic could prove to be vital in the outcome of the match.
Everton Vs Chelsea Match Facts:
- Everton have won four of their last five Barclays Premier League home games against Chelsea.
- Since the 2009-10 season, Chelsea have lost four times to Everton; only Manchester City (5) have beaten them more often in that period.
- Chelsea have not lost their third game of the season since succumbing 2-0 to Middlesbrough in 1995.
- Diego Costa has had two shots on target this season and scored with both.
- Cesc Fabregas has assisted at least one goal in his last four Premier League appearances (five assists overall), a personal record for the Spaniard.
- Eden Hazard has embarked on more dribbles than any other Premier League player this season (22 – eight more than any other player).
Facts compiled from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Everton Vs Chelsea Possible starting lineups
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; Mirallas, Naismith, Osman; Lukaku
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle; Drogba
Everton Vs Chelsea Prediction:
The Goodison park is not a cakewalk even for the toughest of the teams and with Diego Costa out, Chelsea will have a tough time. But Everton’s leaky defence may hurt them and we predict Everton 1:2 Chelsea