Everton vs Chelsea

Goodison Park is the venue as relegation-threatened Everton take on third-placed Chelsea in a high-stakes Premier League fixture.

A relegation threat has become imminent for Everton following a 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool last time out. Having dropped into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since December 2019, the ‘Toffees’ have six matches left to make up a five-point ground on safety and avoid a catastrophic scenario. Despite facing uncertain times, the Goodison faithful has a reason for optimism, as Frank Lampard’s men are unbeaten in their last three Premier League home outings (W2, D1). What’s more, Everton have won their three previous top-flight home meetings with Chelsea by an aggregate score of 6-1 and could make it four H2H home wins in a row for the first time since 1973. Yet, they’ve played the most Premier League fixtures on Sundays without winning this season (9 – D1, L8).

On the other hand, Chelsea head into proceedings on the back of a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in midweek Premier League action, which has left them at a single win in four league matches (D1, L2). Despite experiencing a patchy form, the ‘Blues’ will turn to their imrpessive away record in 2022 for inspiration, having gone unbeaten in their last ten away games across all competitions (W8, D2). Before the abovementioned stalemate at Old Trafford, Thomas Tuchel’s men had scored 2+ goals on eight successive road trips, suggesting another free-scoring weekend could be on the cards. Chelsea could draw more confidence from their impressive defensive record against Everton, having held the ‘Toffees’ at bay in seven of their last 11 Premier League H2Hs. Moreover, delivering action from the offset, they have opened the scoring in a league-high 82% of their Premier League away fixtures this season (14/17).