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Preview: Chelsea and Everton jockey for position in top six

Preview: Chelsea and Everton jockey for position in top six

Shiriki

After three away games, drawing one and losing the other two, Chelsea are back at Stamford Bridge for the first time in December, hosting David Moyes’ in-form Everton as they chase a desperately needed win.

By Alex Roberts

The pressure is piling on Enzo Maresca as his side hit their annual festive period slump with Chelsea currently sit in fifth with 25 points, six worse off than they were at this point last season.

Everton, on the other hand, are loving life at the moment, bagging four wins from their last five games, a victory here would see them go above Chelsea and into the top four, for a little while at least.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has a point to prove

The midfielder left Chelsea for Everton in the summer having spent just a single season in West London. Now settled at a club that clearly value him, Dewsbury-Hall is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.

Three goals and one assist in his last five games, including the decider in their dramatic and narrative filled 1-0 win over Man United has undoubtedly filled him with confidence as he heads to his old stomping ground.

At Everton, he’s become a complete midfielder. Dewsbury-Hall has created 20 chances, a pass accuracy rate of 83.3% but he’s also putting in a shift defensively, winning 25 tackles, winning possession in the final third 12 times, and making 55 recoveries.

Considering the form he’s in; Chelsea will have their hands full against their old player.

For more graphics like this, follow @fotmobapp on Instagram

Garnacho could hold the key for Chelsea

The winger has been one of the main victims of Maresca’s constant rotation. Alejandro Garnacho has started just six of his nine Premier League games, but in those games, he’s easily been one of Chelsea’s brightest stars.

Last time out, the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, he lasted 77 minutes before Maresca hooked him. He hit the woodwork and was even the catalyst for Chelsea’s best chance, floating the ball into Malo Gusto, who nodded it down for Marc Guiu, who just wasn’t alert to the situation.

One of the most frustrating things about Garnacho’s time at Chelsea so far is the fact he hasn’t been allowed to truly build any momentum. Perhaps a more settled starting eleven with Garnacho in the side would help settle things down.

Team news

This is Moisés Caicedo’s third and final game of his suspension, and Chelsea will be praying it doesn’t happen again any time soon, the midfielder has been a huge miss for them over the past couple of weeks.

Wesley Fofana suffered a freak eye injury in the 2-1 defeat to Atalanta, but Maresca remains hopeful the Frenchman could feature alongside Trevoh Chalobah here. Reece James may drop to the bench having played the full 90 minutes midweek.

Liam Delap (shoulder), Levi Colwill (knee), Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo (both thigh) are all out.

As for Everton, Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite are both still out with hamstring injuries, while Merlin Röhl (hernia) remains sidelined. Midfield duo Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are both available to return after serving suspensions.

Prediction

Chelsea have a pretty good record against Everton, not losing to them since 2023, but they’re so out of form right now, it’s hard to see them win this one. We’re going with 2-1 to Everton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Chelsea and Everton jockey for position in top six

After three away games, drawing one and losing the other two, Chelsea are back at Stamford Bridge for the first time in December, hosting David Moyes’ in-form Everton as they chase a desperately needed win.

By Alex Roberts

The pressure is piling on Enzo Maresca as his side hit their annual festive period slump with Chelsea currently sit in fifth with 25 points, six worse off than they were at this point last season.

Everton, on the other hand, are loving life at the moment, bagging four wins from their last five games, a victory here would see them go above Chelsea and into the top four, for a little while at least.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has a point to prove

The midfielder left Chelsea for Everton in the summer having spent just a single season in West London. Now settled at a club that clearly value him, Dewsbury-Hall is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.

Three goals and one assist in his last five games, including the decider in their dramatic and narrative filled 1-0 win over Man United has undoubtedly filled him with confidence as he heads to his old stomping ground.

At Everton, he’s become a complete midfielder. Dewsbury-Hall has created 20 chances, a pass accuracy rate of 83.3% but he’s also putting in a shift defensively, winning 25 tackles, winning possession in the final third 12 times, and making 55 recoveries.

Considering the form he’s in; Chelsea will have their hands full against their old player.

For more graphics like this, follow @fotmobapp on Instagram

Garnacho could hold the key for Chelsea

The winger has been one of the main victims of Maresca’s constant rotation. Alejandro Garnacho has started just six of his nine Premier League games, but in those games, he’s easily been one of Chelsea’s brightest stars.

Last time out, the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, he lasted 77 minutes before Maresca hooked him. He hit the woodwork and was even the catalyst for Chelsea’s best chance, floating the ball into Malo Gusto, who nodded it down for Marc Guiu, who just wasn’t alert to the situation.

One of the most frustrating things about Garnacho’s time at Chelsea so far is the fact he hasn’t been allowed to truly build any momentum. Perhaps a more settled starting eleven with Garnacho in the side would help settle things down.

Team news

This is Moisés Caicedo’s third and final game of his suspension, and Chelsea will be praying it doesn’t happen again any time soon, the midfielder has been a huge miss for them over the past couple of weeks.

Wesley Fofana suffered a freak eye injury in the 2-1 defeat to Atalanta, but Maresca remains hopeful the Frenchman could feature alongside Trevoh Chalobah here. Reece James may drop to the bench having played the full 90 minutes midweek.

Liam Delap (shoulder), Levi Colwill (knee), Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo (both thigh) are all out.

As for Everton, Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite are both still out with hamstring injuries, while Merlin Röhl (hernia) remains sidelined. Midfield duo Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are both available to return after serving suspensions.

Prediction

Chelsea have a pretty good record against Everton, not losing to them since 2023, but they’re so out of form right now, it’s hard to see them win this one. We’re going with 2-1 to Everton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.