Premier League Preview: Everton - Chelsea

Kick-Off: Thursday, February 11 01:30 IST.
Goodison Park, Liverpool.

If Chelsea are to continue setting the pace at the top of the Premier League they will have to overcome what looks like a difficult trip to face Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

This midweek match day is an important one in the title race. As well as Chelsea’s tough trip, Manchester United have to travel to Villa Park to play Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa, while Arsenal and Liverpool clash at the Emirates Stadium.

If the Blues are to pass their test, they will have to get the better of an Everton side who have improved significantly in the second half of the season, despite the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Merseyside rivals Liverpool at the weekend.

Prior to that defeat, David Moyes’ side, who have finished in the top six for three successive seasons, had taken 13 points from their previous five matches, conceding just two goals in the process as a number of key players returned from injury.

The Toffees now sit ninth in the table, nine points adrift of the top seven and likely European qualification. Having been eliminated from the FA Cup recently, Moyes’ best chance of success comes in the Europa League, where they have reached the knockout stages.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are still competing on three fronts, with the FA Cup still on the agenda and a big Champions League last-16 tie against Jose Mourinho’s Inter to face over the coming weeks.

After their 2-0 weekend victory over Arsenal, the Blues are leading the league by two points ahead of Manchester United, while they now enjoy a nine-point advantage over the Gunners with 13 matches left to play.

One factor that will encourage Everton is the fact Chelsea have only won half of their away fixtures in the league – six from 12 – and are scoring fewer goals on their travels than at Stamford Bridge.

FORM GUIDE

Everton

Feb 06: Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Jan 30: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Everton
Jan 27: Everton 2-0 Sunderland
Jan 23: Everton 1-2 Birmingham (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Everton 2-0 Manchester City

Chelsea

Feb 07: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
Feb 02: Hull City 1-1 Chelsea
Jan 30: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea
Jan 27: Chelsea 3-0 Birmingham
Jan 23: Preston 0-2 Chelsea (FA Cup)

TEAM NEWS

Everton

Mikel Arteta is set to complete his return from injury by starting a game for the first time in a year, against Chelsea.

The Spaniard is needed because Everton are short on midfield cover with Marouane Fellaini (ankle) and Steven Pienaar (suspension) both ruled out.

Possible starting XI (4-4-1-1): Howard, Neville, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Donovan, Arteta, Osman, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Saha. 

Chelsea

Chelsea will make a late assessment on the fitness of Deco, who has a knee problem, but captain John Terry should be fit to play after recovering from a dead leg.

Long-term absentees Michael Essien, Juliano Belletti and Jose Bosingwa are all still sidelined.

Possible starting XI (4-3-3): Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, A Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Louis Saha

Louis Saha is currently celebrating signing a new two-year contract extension with Everton, which he has been rewarded with thanks to his impressive form this season. The French striker is comfortably the club’s top goal-scorer with 13 goals in all competitions and is expected to lead the line against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Chelsea – Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba has been in electric form for Chelsea this season, scoring 22 times in just 24 starts and two substitute appearances. Since returning from the African Cup of Nations, the Ivorian has been quick to re-find his goal-scoring touch at Stamford Bridge with a goal against Hull City and a match-winning double against Arsenal on Sunday.

PREDICTION

Everton look like a good bet for the top ten after an improvement from their early season struggles, but Saturday’s loss to Liverpool was a disappointment that will have damaged the morale at Goodison Park.

Chelsea are on good form and remain favourites to win the Premier League, but one slip up could be costly with only a narrow lead being held over Manchester United.

Even though the home side will be hopeful of getting something from the game, most will still favour the league leaders to pick up a win, and I am of the same opinion.

Everton 1-2 Chelsea