Chelsea v Everton preview: Team news, lineups, supercomputer prediction
Everton face a tough challenge ahead as they travel to West London to face Chelsea in their next Premier League fixture.
David Moyes’ side have steadily climbed up the table to 13th place, but there are just two points between them and his old club West Ham in 17th.
With Everton well clear of the Premier League relegation spots, but far behind Crystal Palace in 12th, there is currently little to play for in the final five games of the season.
It is a different story for Chelsea, who are pushing to finish in the Champions League spots, and this is a crucial fixture for the home side.
Chelsea v Everton preview
Everton have just five games remaining this season, with two of them at Goodison Park in what is their farewell campaign.
More of their focus will be on the fixtures against Ipswich Town and Southampton in their final matches at the historic stadium, but they will still want positive results in their away games.
For Chelsea, the clash with Everton is a vital one as they push for a Champions League spot, with a top-five finish enough to qualify for Europe’s main competition.
Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League, two points behind Newcastle in fifth, and every result is important for Enzo Maresca.
Form guide – Premier League
Chelsea: WLWDDW
Everton: DDLDWL
| Team | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points |
| 6. Chelsea | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 57 |
| 13. Everton | 33 | 8 | 14 | 11 | 38 |
Team News
Everton are facing several issues ahead of the trip to Chelsea, with Orel Mangala, Jesper Lindstrom and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all longer-term absentees.
Armando Broja is ineligible to face his parent club, and there is doubt over defender James Tarkowski as he came off against Manchester City with a suspected hamstring injury.
This could mean Michael Keane returns to the starting XI, unless Jake O’Brien moves into the centre of defence with Nathan Patterson coming in.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have added Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto to their absentee list in recent weeks, and neither will be available for the clash.
Predicted lineups
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson.
Everton: Pickford, Patterson, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Doucoure, McNeil, Ndiaye, Beto.
Supercomputer prediction
Chelsea have been backed to win at Stamford Bridge, with Opta’s supercomputer giving them a 57.9 per cent chance of victory.
A draw has been given a 22.5 per cent probability, while an unlikely Everton win has been given just a 19.5 per cent chance.
Everton have not won away in the league at Stamford Bridge since 1994, and they will hope to end this 31-year streak to continue their positive second half of the season.