Keane snubbed, Harrison axed in three changes – Everton predicted XI v Chelsea
David Moyes could decide against starting Michael Keane against Chelsea despite losing James Tarkowski to injury last weekend.
Everton head to Stamford Bridge to take on Enzo Maresca’s side this Saturday lunchtime (26 April) as the Toffees have just five Premier League fixtures remaining before the move to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Moyes has been rocked by Tarkowski pulling up with a hamstring injury last time out, as they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Goodison Park (19 April). Keane, out of contract this summer, replaced the centre-half but put in an unconvincing substitute appearance.
Moyes may bring trio back into side
It remains to be seen whether Moyes keeps faith with Keane, who featured for the majority of the second half last week at Goodison despite many wondering if he had played his final game for Everton.
However, with Keane unlikely to have a future on Merseyside and after the mistake which almost allowed Omar Marmoush an easy run at goal, Moyes may instead shift Jake O’Brien into his natural position of centre-half and bring in Nathan Patterson for a rare start at right-back.
Seamus Coleman is also available, but is likelier to feature in the final game at Goodison Park against Southampton on 18 May.
Elsewhere, Armando Broja is ineligible to face his former club which means Beto is in line to lead the attack once again, while Dwight McNeil – dipped in slowly via several substitute appearances – could now receive his starting XI recall in place of Jack Harrison.
Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jesper Lindstrom all remain sidelined.
Everton form has dropped ahead of Chelsea clash
Chelsea are just as in need of points as Everton’s last opponents Man City, in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
City beat fellow top-five rivals Aston Villa via a stoppage-time winner on Tuesday night (22 April), the fixture having been brought forward from this weekend due to both sides’ participation in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The onus then becomes on Chelsea, who may hope Moyes’ reshuffled defence could provide respite for their ailing attack, especially the off-colour Cole Palmer who is without a goal since mid-January.
| Everton – final five | Date |
| Chelsea (A) | 26 April |
| Ipswich (H) | 3 May |
| Fulham (A) | 10 May |
| Southampton (H) | 18 May |
| Newcastle (A) | 25 May |
Everton are likely to play on the break at the Bridge, which would certainly see it make sense for Iliman Ndiaye and McNeil to start on either flank.
Set-pieces are also likely to be a threat from the Toffees, especially if O’Brien, Branthwaite and Beto all start.
Everton’s win at Nottingham Forest on 12 April is now their only triumph in their last eight, though they have drawn five and only lost twice.