Chelsea are back at home after a tricky December. The 3-0 win over Barcelona already feels far away, and the 1-1 draw with Arsenal showed fight, but consistency is missing. A Champions League loss at Atalanta, plus dropped points vs Leeds (3-1) and Bournemouth (0-0), means Stamford Bridge has already seen Chelsea let 8 points slip from winning positions this season. Pressure is real.
Everton arrives confident. Moyes’ side have won 4 of their last 5 league matches without conceding, including wins at Man United and Bournemouth. Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest pushed them to 7th, just 2 points from the top four.
History favors Chelsea. Everton haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1994, and the Blues are unbeaten in 30 home league games vs the Toffees. Clean sheets in the last three meetings add to the advantage.Chelsea misses Caicedo, Delap, Colwill, Lavia, Essugo, and Mudryk. Fofana could feature despite a midweek eye injury. Reece James may rest, but Cole Palmer returns behind Joao Pedro, with Estevao and Garnacho competing for places.
Everton misses Coleman, Branthwaite, and Rohl. Barry should be fit, and Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam return from suspension. Dewsbury-Hall, red-hot with 4 goals in his last 4 games, may play higher up behind Barry.
Chelsea vs Everton: Key Stats
📊 Head to head: Chelsea 33 wins, Everton 13 wins, Draws 24
📊 Chelsea: Unbeaten in last 30 home league games vs Everton
📊 Chelsea: Unbeaten in 35 of last 39 home matches (all competitions)
📊 Everton: Unbeaten in 5 of last 6 matches (all competitions)
📊 Everton: Under 2.5 goals in last 5 away games
Predicted Lineups
🦁Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Santos, Enzo Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
🍬Everton (4-2-3-1)
Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry
Players and Matchups to Watch
🔹 Enzo Fernandez – Drives Chelsea’s midfield rhythm
🔹 Dewsbury-Hall – Everton’s goal threat
🔹 James Garner – Key to Everton’s structure
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