View: Three things to watch for in Everton clash v Chelsea
Having won their last three games in the Premier League, Everton will head into their tie with Chelsea in fine spirits.
The Toffees will be tasked with overcoming a resolute Chelsea side who are unbeaten since Thomas Tuchel was appointed manager in late January.
Chelsea are just one point and one place above Everton in the league table, meaning that whichever side wins at Stamford Bridge would be fourth by the end of the match week.
Ahead of the clash on this evening, we at Goodison News have picked out three things that fans should watch out for.
Calvert-Lewin needs a goal
Since Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his return from injury against Liverpool last month, the forward has gone three games in the league without a goal.
Richarlison has picked up the goalscoring slack while Calvert-Lewin finds his footing again, but the England international will need to find his shooting boots soon.
Chelsea typically play with three centre-backs, and if Ancelotti can exploit the space behind the wing-backs well, Calvert-Lewin could receive ample aerial service to bury his minor goal drought.
Consistency between the sticks
Since Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have yet to fire on all cylinders in front of goal.
However, though Chelsea are struggling to put the ball away, Jordan Pickford can’t afford to get complacent.
Timo Werner has bags of talent, even if he hasn’t always shown it this season, and he could punish Everton if Pickford isn’t absolutely on his game.
Managing space
As mentioned above, Chelsea favour wing-backs who bomb forward while the Blues are in possession. Reece James will line-up on the right for Chelsea, while either Marcos Alonso or Ben Chilwell could play on the left.
Whether Everton play Gylfi Sigurdsson or Andre Gomes in the creative role, or James Rodriguez if he passes a late fitness test, the Toffees must keep an eye on spacial gaps that can be exploited.
With Chelsea being at home you’d bank on them dominating possession, and when James or Alonso/Chilwell get forward Everton should use the channels, pull defenders and turn space to their advantage.
In other Everton news, Richarlison must continue his clinical goalscoring streak when Everton face Chelsea.